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1880. 

Memoir 

of   Martha   Thompson 

Tie.  . 

Thomson!    Sharo 

MEMOIR 


MARTHA  THOMPSON  SHARP, 


REV.  JAS.  I.  HELM,  A.M., 

PASTOR   OF  THE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,   SALEM,  N.  J. 


"  For  what  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing?    Are  not 
wen  ye  in  the  piesence  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at  his  coming  ?" 

Paul. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
DANIELS   &  SMITH,  FIFTH  AND  ARCH  STS. 

1849. 


i2  n  t  e  r  e  tJ,  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1 846 

By  Rev.  Jas.  I.  Helm,  A.  M., 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Eastern  Dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania. 


\VM.  S.  -VOONG,  PRINTER. 


SUNDAY   SCHOOL   TEACHERS 

WITH  WHOM  SHE  WAS  ASSOCIATED, 
AND     TO    WHOM    HER   DYING    LIPS    DICTATED 

THE  LOVING  REQUEST 

"MEET  ME  IN  HEAVEN;" 

Ws  little  bolutne 

IS  AFFECTIONATELY  INSCRIBED 
BY 

Martha's  sorrowing 

PASTOR. 


"  Why  love  we  so  a  sin-stained  earth  1 
When  fetterless  to  roam 
'Tis  ours  among  yon  isles  of  light : 
Each  starry  isle  a  home. 

"  Home  of  the  pure  and  innocent ! 

Where  spirits  live  and  love : 
Home,  where  the  holy  and  the  just, 

A  Saviour's  mercies  prove. 

"Home  of  the  Christian's  humble  hope. 
The  Christian's  ardent  prayer; 
Who  would  that  humblest  hope  forego; 
For  all  that's  certain  here?" 


MEMOIR 


MARTHA  THOMPSON  SHARP, 


INTRODUCTION. 


A  perfect  image  of  religion  is  found  only 
on  the  page  of  God's  word.  But  a  very  in- 
teresting portraiture  is  seen,  also,  in  the  life 
of  every  consistent  Christian.  An  exact  de- 
lineation of  the  Christian  life,  is  therefore 
alike  interesting  and  instructive.  Next  to 
the  simple  and  inimitable  views  of  Christian 
character  and  experience  which  have  been 
given  by  inspired  authors,  may  be  placed  those 
authentic  narratives  which  record  with  strict 
fidelity  the  life,  and  truly  represent  the  cha- 
racter of  exemplary  and  devoted  Christians. 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

The  preparation  of  religious  memoirs  is 
not,  however,  without  its  difficulties.  One  of 
these  arises  from  the  very  nature  of  the  Chris- 
tian life.  This  has  always  two  aspects — one 
interior  and  invisible,  another  outward  and  ap- 
parent. The  true  life  of  a  Christian,  is  that 
which  is  going  on  in  the  soul  itself,  and  con- 
sists in  its  own  trains  of  emotion  and  succes- 
sive exercises.  A  record  of  this  life  would 
describe  the  secret  impressions,  the  mysterious 
workings,  and  the  invisible  conflicts  of  the 
pious  heart.  It  would  reveal  the  operation  of 
divine  grace  in  the  conversion,  and  its  pro- 
gress in  the  sanctification  of  the  believer.  It 
would  depict  the  vicissitudes  of  his  expe- 
rience— the  alternate  fears  and  hopes,  joys 
and  sorrows  by  which  his  breast  is  agitated : 
the  decay  of  spiritual  affections  into  which  he 
sometimes  falls,  and  the  merciful  revivings 
with  which  he  is  again  favoured.  But  this  is 
a  hidden  life.  It  is  not  always  comprehended 
by  the  subject   himself,  and   another  can  take 


INTRODUCTION.  / 

no  direct  cognizance  of  it  whatever.  That 
which  is  ordinarily  called  the  life  of  a  Chris- 
tian, is  only  the  expression  of  his  real  life.  It 
is  always,  too,  an  imperfect  manifestation  of 
what  is  taking  place  in  his  own  soul.  Yet  it 
is  all  that  belongs  properly  to  the  public : 
while  at.  the  same  time  its  value  depends  on 
its  being  shown  in  a  true  relation  to  the  other; 
because  a  man  is  really  what  he  is  at  heart. 
If  the  likeness  which  is  drawn  from  his  ex- 
ternal conduct  be  the  faithful  copy  of  his  true 
principles  and  real  motives,  it  speaks  truth: 
otherwise,  however  beautiful  in  itself,  it  only 
deceives.  But  to  preserve  this  strict  truth, 
not  only  of  appearance,  but  of  fact,  is  often 
very  difficult. 

Again,  it  is  not  every  true,  nor  even  every 
eminent  Christian  that  furnishes  a  good  subject 
for  biography.  It  is  not  every  bright  example 
of  piety  that  can  be  so  embodied  in  a  memoir 
as  to  please  and  benefit  those  who  did  not  en- 
joy a  living  acquaintance.     To  possess  gene- 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

ral  interest,  a  memoir  must  contain  one  of 
two  elements — perhaps  both.  There  must  be 
action  to  describe,  sufficient  to  give  a  particu- 
lar, various,  and  life-like  view  of  the  charac- 
ter; or  there  must  exist  sufficient  remains  to 
convey  a  definite  and  personal  impression  of 
the  individual  mind  and  heart.  Where  these 
are  both  wanting,  biography  is  not  practicable. 
It  matters  not  how  much  of  worth  and  loveli- 
ness existed  in  the  living  person,  how  attrac- 
tive were  the  actual  companionship,  and  how 
sweet  the  lingering  remembrance  on  the 
minds  and  bosoms  of  surviving  friends;  the 
attempt  to  embody  their  impressions  in  a  nar- 
rative, and  by  mere  statements  of  personal 
qualities  to  give  individuality  and  permanent 
interest  to  the  record,  must  always  prove  abor- 
tive. 

In  the  case  of  very  young  persons,  one  of 
these  elements  is  mostly  scanty,  and  the 
other  nearly,  if  not  altogether  wanting. 
Hence  the  difficulty  of  imparting  special  intc- 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

rest  to  youthful  memorials;  and  hence,  pro- 
bably, the  fact,  that  in  the  department  of  juve- 
nile biography,  we  find  so  many  overdrawn 
and  highly  embellished  narratives. 

The  following  memorial  was  undertaken 
with  a  distinct  comprehension  of  the  difficulty, 
and  a  fixed  determination  to  avoid,  if  possible, 
the  fault  now  stated.  It  did  not  originate 
with  the  parents  or  family  of  its  subject. 
They  did  not  wish  to  obtrude  their  sorrows 
on  the  public;  but  would  have  been  content 
to  share  their  grief  with  those  only  who  knew 
and  loved  their  child,  and  to  cherish  in  their 
aching  hearts  the  memory  of  the  beloved  dead. 
But  other  Christian  friends  were  anxious  to 
know  the  personal  history  of  one  who  charmed 
even  by  the  slightest  acquaintance.  Before 
the  writer  left  the  chamber  of  death,  he  formed 
the  purpose  of  drawing  up,  if  sufficient  mate- 
rials were  found  to  exist,  a  memoir  for  publi- 
cation. The  same  suggestion  came  after- 
wards from   several   Christian  friends,  inde- 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

pendently  each  of  the  other.  It  is  now  done ; 
and  the  judicious  reader  will  decide  whether 
the  design  were  wise  or  not.  Of  one  thing 
he  may  feel  assured ;  he  is  perusing  the  sim- 
ple truth.  The  facts  are  not  overstated;  no 
meretricious  colouring  is  given  to  the  character; 
and  the  picture  as  a  whole  is  less  attractive 
than  the  original.  It  is  hoped  the  memorial 
will  do  honour  to  divine  grace,  and  make  a 
salutary  impression  on  the  minds,  especially 
of  young  readers.  True  piety  is  beautiful  at 
any  period  of  human  life.  It  is  interesting 
when  it  sits  with  venerable  sanctity  upon  the 
brow  of  age,  and  when  it  crowns  with  hea- 
venly radiance  the  strength  of  mature  years. 
But  it  is  most  lovely,  when,  united  to  the 
opening  charms  and  winning  promise  of  youth, 
it  chastens  the  ardour,  hallows  the  affections, 
and  consecrates  the  energy  of  that  interesting 
period.  May  it  do  for  every  young  reader 
what  it  did  for  Martha. 


CHAPTER  I. 


"  But  when  the  cherub  lip  hath  learned  to  claim, 
A  mother's  ear  by  that  endearing  name; 
Soon  as  the  playful  innocent  can  prove, 
A  tear  of  pity,  or  a  smile  of  love, 
How  fondly  looks  parental  hope  the  while, 
At  every  artless  tear,  at  every  smile." 


Martha  Thompson  Sharp,  was  born  in 
the  village  of  Washington,  Warren  county, 
New  Jersey,  on  the  10th  of  August,  1830. 
Her  father  is  Jacob  T.  Sharp,  M.  D.,  a  highly 
respectable  physician  now  resident  in  Salem, 
N.  J.  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Hannah  Ann  Sharp, 
is  a  daughter  of  Edward  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  a  sister  of  Rev.  Edward  D. 


12  MEMOIR  OF 

Smith,  pastor  of  the  Chelsea  Presbyterian 
church  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Both  the 
parents  of  Martha,  and  many  of  her  relatives 
are  communicants  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 
She  not  only  enjoyed,  therefore,  the  inesti- 
mable blessing  of  a  Christian  education;  but 
from  her  earliest  childhood  was  accustomed 
to  see  religion  valued  and  reverenced  by 
those  whom  she  most  loved. 

It  is  always  difficult  to  fill  up  any  thing 
like  a  distinct  portrait  of  childhood.  In  the 
little  history  of  our  life,  this  period  is  nearly 
a  blank  to  all  but  the  individual.  But  while 
it  is  scarcely  noticed  in  its  manifestations,  no 
equal  space  of  human  life  is  so  fruitful  in  the 
elements  of  character.  It  is  the  period  of  im- 
pressions. The  instincts  and  faculties  of  the 
mind  have  only  begun  their  incipient  move- 
ments; and  like  the  earliest  steps  of  bodily 
motion,  its  attempts  are  long  feeble  and  hesi- 
tating. At  the  same  time  it  is  alive  to  every 
external  impression.    Quick  in  its  perceptions 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  13 

and  instinct  with  sensibility,  it  catches  the 
hue  and  receives  the  impress  of  nearly  every 
object.  It  is  equally  susceptible  and  retentive* 
Habits  which  are  easily  and  rapidly  formed, 
become  permanent;  and  impressions  caught 
like  the  shadow  of  a  passing  object,  become 
indelible  as  if  graven  on  brass.  Before  we 
are  aware  of  what  is  going  on  in  the  infant 
mind,  it  has  not  unfrequently  taken  its  beni 
for  life — it  may  be  for  eternity. 

It  is  not  known  that  the  childhood  of  Mar- 
tha differed  materially  from  that  of  other  chil- 
dren in  like  circumstances;  or  that  it  was 
marked  by  any  thing  so  far  out  of  the  ordi- 
nary course  of  juvenile  experience  as  to  be 
interesting  to  the  reader.  There  is  always 
enough,  especially  in  the  first  born  of  a  fami- 
ly, to  attract  the  watchful  eye  of  a  parent,  and 
which  to  that  fond  and  partial  eye  at  least  ap- 
pears striking.  Even  the  unconscious  smile 
delights.  The  first  dawn  of  intellect  is  marked 
with  pleasing  wonder.  The  development  of 
2 


14  MEMOIR  OF 

each  faculty  is  hailed  with  rapture;  and  every 
newly  acquired  power  seems  more  and  more 
striking.  But  long  familiarity  with  infantile 
developments  in  an  increasing  household,  at 
length  obliterates  these  impressions  from  even 
the  parental  memory;  and  leaves  treasured 
there  the  more  vivid  remembrance  of  the  cares, 
anxieties,  and  ceaseless  toils  by  which  those 
years  were  filled. 

Martha  was  a  small  and  fragile  infant,  and 
slowly  acquired  the  active  use  of  her  limbs. 
But  this  point  being  reached,  she  became  a 
lively  and  active  child,  and  usually  enjoyed 
good  health.  She  soon  displayed  a  character 
of  uncommon  energy.  Every  impulse  was 
quick  and  powerful,  and  every  feeling  ardent. 
In  her  were  combined  exquisite  sensibility, 
warm  affection,  buoyant  spirits,  and  great  ani- 
mation. These  united  to  the  usual  forget- 
fulness  of  a  light-hearted  child,  made  her 
occasionally  seem  heedless  and  perhaps  way- 
ward,   though    never    wilfully    disobedient. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  15 

Her  mental  endowments  were  very  superior. 
That  quickness  of  perception  and  facility  of 
acquiring  knowledge  which  afterwards  distin- 
guished her  began  early  to  appear.  Before 
she  6ould  speak,  she  knew  all  her  letters;  and 
at  a  very  early  age  she  read  with  great  beauty 
of  expression.  From  that  time  until  the  end 
of  her  life,  she  manifested  a  love  of  knowledge 
beyond  her  years. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  divine  truth  should 
have  made  on  her  quick  and  susceptible  mind 
an  early  and  lasting  impression.  According- 
ly, she  has  often  remarked  that  she  could  not 
remember  a  period  when  she  did  not  feel  the 
influence  of  serious  things.  A  tenderness  of 
conscience  unusual  to  one  so  young,  was  a 
trait  early  seen  in  her  character.  About  the 
age  of  four  years  she  spent  some  time  at  her 
grandfather's  in  Philadelphia.  Her  aunt, 
(now  Mrs.  Newkirk)  who  had  the  care  of  her, 
has  often  mentioned  the  peculiar  tenderness 
of  conscience  which  she  manifested  at  that 


16  MEMOIR  OF 

time.  In  the  evening  she  would  call  her  at- 
tention to  the  various  occurrences  of  the  day? 
and  urge  her  to  reflect  seriously  on  her  con- 
duct. Sometimes  she  would  remind  her  of 
some  wayward  temper  or  infantile  disobe- 
dience, and  at  the  same  time  address  her  in  a 
kind  but  serious  manner.  (i  Martha,  you  have 
done  such  and  such  things  to-day  that 
were  wrong.  Now  I  wish  you  to  think 
about  them,  and  to  feel  as  you  ought  before 
you  lie  down  to-night."  At  such  times  she 
would  be  deeply  affected,  and  copious  tears 
would  accompany  her  penitent  confessions, 
A  little  prayer  in  verse  which  her  aunt  taught 
her  at  the  same  period,  was  never  forgotten; 
and  some  of  her  own  Sunday  school  scholars 
will  remember  having  learned  from  her  lips 
to  say — 

u  My  Father,  I  thank  thee  for  sleep, 
For  quiet  and  peaceable  rest ; 
I  thank  thee  for  stooping  to  keep 
An  infant  from  being  distressed } 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  17 

Oh  how  shall  a  poor  little  creature  repay, 

Thy  fatherly  kindness  by  night  and  by  day!"    } 

At  the  age  of  six  years  she  received  from 
Mrs.  Alexander  Henry,  her  mother's  aunt, 
a  pocket  New  Testament.  Her  present  was 
selected  in  accordance  with  her  own  choice, 
and  even  at  that  tender  age  she  set  a  special 
value  upon  it.  From  that  time  it  became  her 
constant  companion,  and  was  found  in  the 
pocket  of  her  last  worn  dress  after  her  death. 
It  contains  her  own  name,  the  name  of  her 
aunt  by  whom  it  was  presented,  and  the  date  at 
which  it  was  received.  It  has  also  as  a  motto 
inserted  in  it,  the  words  "for  ever"  designed 
to  express  either  her  attachment  to  the  word  of 
God,  or  the  scope  of  her  views  in  living. 
Either  sense  was  appropriate  to  her  feelings 
and  aims. 

A  few  years  later  the  same  relative  made 
her  a  present  of  a  small  reference  Bible  for 
the  pocket.  It  is  now  one  of  the  most  inte- 
resting memorials  of  her  love  for  God's  word; 


18  MEMOIR  OF 

and  it  is  believed  that  she  scarcely  passed  a 
waking  hour  without  this  Bible  or  the  New 
Testament  before  mentioned  about  her  person, 
From  long  and  constant  usage,  the  Bible  is 
much  worn.  It  contains  unequivocal  evi- 
dence both  of  repeated  and  attentive  perusaL 
Almost  every  page  shows  that  it  has  been  fa- 
miliar to  her  eye.  A  great  number  of  pas- 
sages are  marked  with  her  pencil.  Some  are 
recognised  as  the  texts  of  sermons  preached 
by  her  pastor.  Some  are  probably  the  texts 
of  discourses  preached  by  other  ministers, 
But  there  are  others  evidently  designated, 
solely  with  reference  to  her  experimental 
feelings.  This  is  obvious  either  from  the  fact 
that  they  are  not  adapted  to  public  discourse* 
while  they  have  a  striking  relation  to  per- 
sonal emotions,  or  from  the  emphatic  manner 
in  which  they  are  distinguished.  Occasionally 
a  single  word  thus  marked  is  eloquent  of  ex- 
perimental devotion. 

During  the  interval  between  her  sixth  and 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  19 

ninth  years,  her  parents  resided  in  Phila- 
delphia. Here  she  received  the  ordinary 
school  instruction  adapted  to  children  of  her 
age.  She  also  attended,  as  a  scholar,  the 
Sunday  School  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church.  These  instructions,  aided  by  mater- 
nal efforts,  served  to  expand  her  faculties, 
and  to  impart  those  views  of  religious  truth, 
which  afterwards  became  so  clear  and  lumi- 
nous. 


SPRING. 

Old  gloomy  winter  with  his  frosty  browj 
Is  fast  disappearing — the  sunbeams  now 
Have  the  golden  colour  of  lovely  spring, 
While  the  forest  birds  have  commenced  to  sing 
In  their  leafy  boughs  of  so  deep  a  green, 
That  the  sun's  bright  rays  are  scarcely  seen. 
The  violets  blue  have  lifted  their  heads 
O'er  the  snow  that  covers  their  mossy  beds; 
While  the  May  rose,  encircled  by  many  a  thorn, 
Has  smiled  a  welcome  to  the  summer  morn, 


20  MEMOIR  OF  MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

The  loveliest  season  is  spring  to  me, 

When  each  voice  sounds  a  note  replete  with  glee  ; 

When  the  brightest  hue  of  the  flowers  you  see, 

And  the  birds  are  not  rivalled  in  melody. 

Oh  many  prefer  the  dull  autumn  brief, 

Their  fancy  is  struck  by  the  yellow  leaf, 

They  say  that  the  sun  sheds  a  brighter  ray 

Than  he  does  on  the  loveliest  summer  day. 

But  I  cannot  believe  them :  I  know  'tis  true 

That  the  falling  leaf  has  a  sombre  hue. 

But  then  'tis  the  prelude  to  winter  drear. 

When  the  whistling  winds  sound  the  notes  of  fear ; 

When  the  snow  thickly  lies  on  the  frozen  plain, 

And  the  birds'  lively  song  is  ne'er  heard  on  the  main. 

Then  give  me  the  spring  with  its  flowers  bright — 

Oh  give  me  the  spring  with  the  sweet  sunlight — 

And  joyfully  on  my  lone  path  I'll  go, 

Praising  my  God  from  whom  blessings  flow. 

M.  T.  S. 
March  5,  1846. 


CHAPTER  II. 


"  Ye  to  whose  care  Jehovah  has  consigned 
The  dying  body  and  th'  immortal  mind, 
Ah!  claim  not  for  them  wealth,  or  power,  or  fame, 
Earth,  mis'ry,  half- existence,  and  a  name! 
But  pray  your  God  to  keep  a  watchful  eye, 
Support,  defend,  preserve  and  teach  to  die." 


In  the  year  1839  the  parents  of  Martha  re- 
moved with  their  family  to  Salem,  New  Jer- 
sey, where  the  remainder  of  her  life  was  spent, 
and  where  sleeps  her  hallowed  dust.  It  was 
here,  when  a  little  less  than  ten  years  old,  the 
writer  of  this  memoir  became  acquainted 
with  her.  He  soon  marked  her  as  no  com- 
mon child.     Even  at  this  moment,  the  imag- 


22  MEMOIR  OF 

of  Martha  as  she  then  was,  is  vividly  before 
his  mind.  Her  little  white  apron,  her  quick 
and  energetic  motion,  her  speaking  eye,  her 
soul-revealing  countenance,  her  warmth  of 
emotion  and  almost  excessive  sensibility,  her 
prompt  answer  in  language  marked  by  a 
child's  simplicity,  and  more  than  a  child's  un- 
derstanding ;  every  feature  and  trait  is  there, 
as  she  stands  before  the  eye  of  memory,  an 
impersonation  of  life,  intelligence,  and  feeling. 
It  was  evident  that  she  possessed  those  powers 
and  susceptibilities  of  mind,  and  those  strong 
impulses  of  the  heart  which  form  ~ decided 
character  of  some  kind.  If  devoted  to  the 
world,  it  was  likely  to  be  with  passionate 
fondness;  and  if  on  the  other  hand  her  heart 
should  be  consecrated  to  the  Redeemer,  it 
would  be  with  equal  decision  and  devotedness. 
These  anticipations  were  abundantly  confirmed 
by  subsequent  acquaintance  with  her  as  a  pas- 
tor. 

About  this  time  she   began  to  attend  as  a 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  23 

pupil,  the  Salem  Academy;  the  female  de- 
partment of  which  was  under  the  care  of  Miss 
A.  W.  Maylin.  This  lady  bears  the  follow- 
ing testimony  respecting  the  deportment  and 
progress  of  her  pupil.  "  Martha  shared  in  the 
daily  instructions  of  my  school  room  for  more 
than  four  years.  She  studied  her  lessons 
with  an  intelligent  interest  which  made  it 
very  pleasant  to  teach  her ;  never  committing 
them  in  a  manner  merely  mechanical,  but  al- 
ways evincing  by  her  remarks  and  inquiries, 
that  the  workings  of  her  mind  went  beyond 
the  surface  of  the  several  things  to  which  her 
attention  was  directed.  In  the  religious  in- 
structions of  the  school,  and  especially  our  re- 
gular Bible  lessons,  she  ever  manifested  atten- 
tion and  seriousness. 

"To  myself  she  was  uniformly  respectful 
and  affectionate;  and  in  any  little  indisposi- 
tion or  trouble,  I  might  always  rely  on  her 
kindness  and  sympathy.  She  was  in  the  habit 
of  writing  me  endearing  little  notes,  expres- 


24  MEMOIR  OF 

sive  of  her  regard  for  me  or  her  interest  in 
school  duties.  These  are  now  valued  as  pre- 
cious mementos  of  those  departed  days.  When 
she  ceased  to  be  my  pupil,  our  social  inter- 
course became  that  of  companions  and  friends. 
May  we  be  such  in  heaven. 

"A.  W.  M." 

At  this  school  began  her  acquaintance  with 

Miss   M.   I ,  which   afterwards   ripened 

into  a  very  tender  intimacy.  They  were 
about  the  same  age,  and  resembled  each  other 
in  their  gifts  and  attainments.  After  this 
young  lady  returned  home,  a  correspondence 
at  first  occasional,  but  subsequently  at  regular 
monthly  intervals,  was  begun  and  continued 
until  Martha's  death.  Copious  extracts  from 
her  letters  to  this  early  friend  will  be  found 
in  the  future  pages  of  this  memoir. 

In  August,  1S40,  a  little  incident  occurred 
which  shows  both  the  activity  of  her  mind, 
and  the  bent  of  her  taste  at  that   time.     A 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  25 

copy  of  "  The  Minister's  Family,"  by  Rev. 
W.  M.  Hetherington,  belonging  to  her  pastor, 
incidentally  fell  into  her  hands.  Without 
having  her  attention  drawn  to  it  by  any  other 
person,  she  withdrew  to  read  it  alone  and  un- 
disturbed. As  it  was  not  usual  for  her  to  be 
absent  from  the  house  without  the  knowledge 
of  the  family,  it  became  a  matter  of  surprise 
what  could  have  become  of  Martha.  Absorbed 
in  her  book,  she  seemed  meanwhile  to  have 
become  unconscious  of  every  thing  else.  At 
length,  late  in  the  day,  she  came  from  her  re- 
treat, and  with  sparkling  eye  and  animated 
face  expressed  the  enjoyment  she  had  found 
in  her  book,  which  she  had  completely 
finished. 

As  her  mind  expanded,  Martha  began  to 
take  an  intelligent  interest  in  public  discourse, 
and  became  an  attentive  hearer  of  the  preached 
word.  When  she  was  eleven  and  a  half 
years  old,  her  pastor  delivered  a  number  of 
sermons  on  "the  Church  and  Sacraments." 
3 


26  MEMOIR  OF  MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

One  of  these  discussed  the  question  of  a  Pi  e- 
latical  Succession.  A  day  or  two  afterwards 
he  received  a  note  requesting  the  loan  of  the 
manuscript.  Not  looking  particularly  at  the 
signature,  he  mistook  it  for  her  mother's,  and 
sent  the  discourse,  with  a  wish,  that  as  it  was 
of  a  controversial  character,  it  might  not  be 
permitted  to  fall  into  other  hands.  Great  was 
his  surprise  to  learn  that  Martha  herself  was 
the  applicant.  She  not  only  made  the  request 
of  her  own  accord,  but  perused  the  manu- 
script with  great  avidity,  and  also  gave,  in  a 
letter  to  a  friend,  an  intelligent  outline  of  the 
argument.  Although  not  adapted  to  any  per- 
sonal religious  impression,  this  little  circum- 
stance appeared  to  have  an  important  influ- 
ence upon  her  mind.  For  thereafter  she 
heard  with  increasing  attention  and  delight 
the  usual  ministrations  of  the  gospel. 


CHAPTER    III 


To  think  when  heaven  and  earth  are  fled, 

And  times  and  seasons  o'er ; 
When  all  that  can  die  shall  be  dead, 

That  I  shall  die  no  more." 


It  is  not  the  chief  design  of  this  memoir  to 
set  forth  the  mental  gifts  and  accomplishments 
of  its  subject.  The  great  aim  is,  to  exhibit 
the  image  of  Christ  in  her  character ;  to  trace 
the  formation  of  that  image ;  and  to  detail  the 
means  by  which  it  was  brought  out  with  so 
much  lustre  in  her  person.  Blessed  with  a 
careful  religious  education,  she  was  early  and 
often  the  subject  of  serious  feelings  more  or 


28  MEMOIR  OF 

less  tender.     She  has  frequently  declared  that 
from  her  earliest  recollection  she  had  felt  at 
times  a  longing  desire  to  be  a  Christian.     We 
have  already  seen  that  she  possessed  a  tender 
and  enlightened   conscience;    that  she   gave 
careful  attention  to  the  preaching  of  the  gos- 
pel ;  and  that  she  regarded  the  word  of  God 
with  singular  affection.     We  now  come  to  a 
period  of  more  distinct  and  decided  religious 
impressions.     Early  in  the  year  1843,  at  the 
still  tender  age  of  twelve  and  a-half  years,  she 
became  deeply  anxious  to  obtain  an  interest 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  as  her  Saviour.     This  was 
manifested  in  a  more  serious  attention  to  the 
means  of  grace,  and  in   much  and   earnest 
prayer  to  God  for  his  saving  mercy.     Her 
school  compositions  and  her  letters  were  at 
this  time  pervaded  with  her  sense  of  the  value 
and  importance  of  religion.     To  possess  the 
religion  of  Christ,  to  live  in  the  enjoyment  of 
its  hopes,  and  to  die  in  the  peace  of  God's 
children,  was  to  her  mind  the  one  great  thing, 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  29 

the  sum  of  happiness,  the  measure  of  her 
highest  anticipations.  The  writer  has  before 
him  a  little  tale  composed  at  this  time,  in 
which,  though  not  adapted  for  insertion  in  this 
memoir,  the  temper  of  her  mind  reveals  it- 
self. Two  little  children — brother  and  sister 
— orphans  and  friendless,  but  maintaining 
their  religious  principles  in  adversity,  find  at 
length  an  asylum  and  friends  in  the  family  of 
a  village  pastor.  He  learns  on  inquiry  that 
the  sister  is  a  member  of  the  church,  and 
urges  the  brother  to  attend  also  to  the  great 
subject.  The  sister  accompanies  the  pastor 
on  a  visit  to  a  sick  and  dying  man,  who  gives 
an  account  of  his  life5  and  tells  how  afflictions 
had  been  the  means  of  bringing  him  to  a 
knowledge  of  Christ.  The  little  girl  disco- 
vers in  him  an  uncle,  and  witnesses  his  peace- 
ful and  happy  death.  Thus  every  incident 
takes  the  shape  of  her  own  conceptions  and 
her  cherished  desires. 

The  manuscript  volume  which  contains  this 
3* 


30  MEMOIR  OP 

little  story  includes  also  a  number  of  juvenile 
compositions  in  verse,  all  written  in  the  month 
of  March,  1843.     One  of  these  is  headed — 

EXHORTATION  TO  REPENTANCE. 

Sinner,  listen  to  that  voice, 
Sent  to  bid  thy  heart  rejoice ; 
Listen  !  Jesus  calls  thee  now, 
At  his  feet,  oh!  humbly  bow. 

He  is  merciful  and  mild, 
Meek  and  lowly  as  a  child; 
He  is  ready  to  forgive. 
He  has  said,  "Repent  and  live." 

Another  time  may  be  too  late, 
He  may  leave  you  to  your  fate ; 
Grace  and  mercy  he  has  shown  • 
The  present  time  is  all  your  own. 

But  a  dreadful  hour  may  come, 
When  he  will  not  take  you  home, 
When  you  will  not  hear  his  voice, 
Bidding  your  hard  heart  rejoice. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  31 

Hasten  while  the  word  is  spoken, 
Wait  not  for  another  token  • 
Now;s  the  time,  now  is  the  hour, 
He  ?11  convert  you  by  his  power. 

In  this  same  month  she  received  from  her 
aunt,  as  a  present,  the  memoir  of  Mary  Lun- 
die  Duncan.  As  might  be  expected,  she 
read  this  volume  with  the  greatest  delight 
Her  impressions  were  communicated  to  her 
aunt  in  the  following  impromptu  stanzas: — 

ON  MARY  LUNDIE  DUNCAN. 

TQ  MY  AUNT. 

I  thank  you,  dear  aunt,  for  that  beautiful  book, 
On  the  face  of  a  Christian  'tis  pleasant  to  look ; 
That  gentle  expression,  that  soft  eye  of  love, 
Seemed  fitted  alone  for  the  bright  world  above. 

Tis  said  that  no  pencil  her  features  could  trace. 
No  painter  could  copy  the  lines  of  her  face ; 
That  expression  so  lovely  could  not  be  portrayed; 
Nor  a  portrait  like  her  be  successfully  made. 


32  MEMOIR  OF 

I  earnestly  wish  that  her  qualities  rare, 
And  brilliant  example  't  may  be  mine  to  share; 
That  her  meekness,  her  patience,  her  spirit  of  love . 
May  fall  like  a  mantle  on  me  from  above. 

I  wish  I  could  thank  you,  dear  aunt,  as  I  ought, 
For  my  pleasure  in  reading  the  book  you  have 

bought ; 
I  will  study  its  pages,  and  hope  you  will  find, 
They  have  moulded  my  spirit  as  well  as  my  mind. 

The  idea  of  an  early  death  was  familiar  to 
the  mind  of  Martha  almost  from  a  child. 
There  are  several  striking  expressions  to  this 
effect  in  her  own  hand-writing.  This  idea? 
connected  with  her  estimate  of  the  value  and 
sufficiency  of  true  religion,  seems  to  have 
given  shape  to  the  following  lines.  They  are 
from  the  manuscript  volume  of  juvenile  poems 
before  mentioned,  and  written  in  the  same 
month  with  the  preceding. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  33 

THE  DYING  GIRL'S  REQUEST. 

Weep  not  for  me  when  I  am  dead, 

Weep  not  for  me  ; 

When  in  the  earth  you  lay  my  head, 

Weep  not  for  me ; 

Grieve  not  that  I  have  gone  away, 

To  God  for  consolation  pray  ; 

Weep  not  for  me. 

Weep  not  for  me  when  on  the  bier, 
Weep  not  for  me ; 
Weep  not,  though  I  have  been  so  dear, 
Weep  not  for  me ; 
Angels  come  hovering  from  the  throne. 
To  bear  my  happy  spirit  home  ; 
Weep  not  for  me. 

For  hope  and  joy  go  to  the  cross ; 

Weep  not  for  me  ; 
Cast  all  the  world  away  as  dross ; 
Weep  not  for  me : 
Though  here  no  more  you  see  my  face, 
Yet  I  have  tried  and  won  the  race ; 
Weep  not  for  me. 


34  MEMOIR  OP 

Adieu,  my  father  and  my  mother: 

Weep  not  for  me ; 
Adieu,  my  sister  and  my  brotherj: 
Weep  not  for  me  : 
But  give  your  hearts  to  Jesus  now ; 
And  at  his  feet,  oh,  humbly  bow: 

Weep  not — weep  not  for  me,. 

One  morning  her  pastor  called  at  her  fa- 
ther's, and  found  her  unusually  moved  with 
anxious  concern  for  the  salvation  of  her  souL 
The  whole  interview  is  well  remembered. 
The  little  room,  the  sofa  by  which  he  kneeled 
with  the  dear  child  in  prayer,  the  copy  of 
Doddridge's  "Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  " 
which  she  had  in  her  hand,  and  the  mingled 
tenderness  and  earnestness  of  her  feelings,  re- 
cur at  this  moment  vivid  and  fresh  as  the 
events  of  yesterday. 

Throughout  the  day  her  mind  seemed  com- 
pletely absorbed  in  the  great  subject  which 
engaged  her  thoughts.  During  the  day,  her 
mother  casually  entered  on  some  errand  an 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  35 

apartment  not  very  frequently  used,  and  found 
the  anxious  child  on  her  knees  in  prayer.  So 
earnestly  was  her  mind  fixed  on  the  solemn 
employment,  that  the  intrusion  was  not  ob- 
served ;  and  the  door  being  quietly  closed, 
she  was  left  to  continue  her  supplications 
without  interruption.  Afterwards  she  re- 
turned to  the  room  in  which  her  mother  sat, 
and  without  speaking  opened  her  secretary 
and  wrote  for  some  minutes  in  the  manuscript 
book  already  mentioned,  and  then  replaced  it 
and  left  the  room.  Her  mother  immediately 
examined  the  book  and  found  the  following: 

RELIGION. 
Oh!  give  me  religion,  that  solace  divine, 
And  tell  me,  my  Saviour,  oh  !  tell  me  Pm  thine  : 
Oh!  take  away  from  me,  this  hard  stony  heart, 
And  send  down  thy  Spirit,  thy  grace  to  impart. 

I  give  myself  up,  my  dear  Saviour,  to  thee, 
Thy  glories  and  beauties,  my  soul  would  fain  see: 
Receive  me,  dear  Jesus,  though  I  am  a  child, 
And  make  me,  my  Saviour,  meek,  gracious  and 
mild. 


MEMOIR  OF 

1  will  praise  thee,  my  Saviour,  as  long  as  I  live, 
For  I  know,  by  my  Bible,  my  sins  thou  'It  forgive  ; 
The  peace  of  my  mind  and  the  bliss  of  my  soul, 
The  joy  I  experience  is  far  past  control. 

Martha's  anxiety  on  the  subject  of  religion 
continued.  But  the  precise  character  of  her 
exercises  during  the  summer  is  not  known. 
For  though  her  pastor  often  addressed  her  on 
the  subject,  she  was  always  so  much  affected 
that,  as  she  afterwards  stated,  she  could  not 
expres  sher  feelings,  though  very  desirous  to 
do  so.  A  few  lines  more  from  her  volume  of 
juvenile  poetry  will  show  the  interest  she 
felt  in  the  worship  of  God. 

THE  SABBATH. 

All  hail !  thou  day  of  rest, 
To  weary  mortals  given; 

The  day  which  God  has  blest, 
A  sweet  foretaste  of  heaven. 

Let  us  this  day  improve. 
A  day  with  blessings  fraught; 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  37 

And  learn  that  Christ  to  love, 
Who  our  redemption  brought. 

His  precious  blood  alone 
Our  sins  can  wash  away  j 

For  God's  incarnate  Son 
Now  reigns  in  endless  day. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1844,  Martha's 
religious  impressions  were  much  revived 
and  deepened.  On  the  last  Sabbath  in  that 
year  —  December  29  —  her  pastor  preached 
two  discourses  from  Rev.  iii.  20:  "Behold 
I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock:  if  any 
man  hear  my  voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will 
come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and 
he  with  me."  She  heard  them  with  fixed 
and  eager  attention,  and,  as  he  thought,  with 
considerable  emotion.  Calling  after  the  even- 
ing service  at  her  father's  house  for  some  me- 
dicine, he  very  happily  saw  her  for  a  few 
moments  alone.  The  opportunity  was  em- 
braced to  speak  with  her  concerning  her  own 
4 


38  MEMOIR  OF 

salvation.  As  was  anticipated,  he  found  her 
deeply  moved  on  that  all-important  subject, 
but  involved  in  much  perplexity  and  dis- 
couragement. He  endeavoured  to  say  what 
was  best  suited  to  her  case  at  the  time;  and 
especially  to  encourage  her  to  an  immediate 
reception  of  the  Lord  Jesus  as  her  Saviour. 
He  urged  her  to  consider  the  address  in  the 
text  as  made  directly  to  herself,  and  to  ap- 
proach the  Saviour  just  as  she  was,  with  a 
cordial  surrender  of  all  to  him,  an  implicit 
trust  in  his  promise,  and  an  entire  consecra- 
tion of  herself  to  his  service.  This,  she  after- 
wards informed  her  pastor,  she  tried  that 
night  solemnly  to  do,  and  with  a  comfortable 
hope  of  acceptance  in  the  great  transaction. 
Whether  that  was  the  moment  when  she  first 
experienced  a  saving  conversion  to  God,  it  is 
not  necessary  here  to  decide.  But  she  her- 
self always  referred  to  it  as  the  time  when 
her  own  consciousness  gave  the  first  clear  re- 
cognition  to   a   gracious   work   in    her  soul. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  39 

She  was  then  a  little  more  than  fourteen  years 
of  age. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  the  following 
letter  to  her  early  friend  and  school-mate  al- 
ready mentioned  has  been  received. 

Salem,  N.  J„  Dec.  31,  1844. 

"  It  is  indeed,  my  dear  Mary,  a 

solemn  thing  to  think  how  many  years  we 
have  wasted,  and  how  often  we  have  let  our 
precious  moments  fly  unheeded;  while  per- 
haps we  were  engaged  in  some  trifling  pur- 
suit. But  should  we  not  rather  improve  the 
present,  than  grieve  over  the  past?  The  last 
day  in  the  year  is  a  fit  time  to  indulge  such 
thoughts.  How  much  cause  have  we  for  gra- 
titude !  Each  day  has  brought  innumerable 
mercies,  and  each  day  has  witnessed  our  cold- 
ness and  ingratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all  good. 
Oh,  my  beloved  Mary,  let  us  try  to  spend 
this  year  as  we  ought.  Let  us  live  more  to 
God;  and  may  our  many  blessings  bring  us 


40  MEMOIR  OP 

often  to  the  throne  of  grace  in  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments for  them. 

"  I  feel  that  I  am  not  as  I  once  was — 
thoughtless  on  the  subject  of  religion;  and  I 
hope  and  pray  that  the  Lord  will  continue 
the  good  work  he  has  begun  in  me.  The 
Saviour  is  all-sufficient;  and  all  he  requires  of 
us  is  to  feel  that  all-sufficiency,  and  to  cast 
ourselves  upon  him,  saying,  with  the  leper — 
1  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean.5 
You  know,  dearest  M.,  that  if  we  were  from 
this  time  henceforth  to  obey  every  precept  of 
the  law,  it  could  not  atone  for  the  past;  and 
that  it  is  only  the  justifying  blood  of  Christ 
that  washes  out  our  past  transgressions,  and 
writes  our  names  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life. 
By  our  own  works  we  can  neither  become 
holy  nor  good.  I  hope  you  will  always  open 
your  heart  to  me,  and  I  will  do  so  to  you. 
I  approve  highly  of  the  Saturday*  weekly 

*  Her  friend  had  proposed  that  on  every  Saturday 
evening  they  should  specially  pray  for  each  other. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  41 

concert.  It  is  sweet  to  be  remembered  by 
a  friend  in  prayer.  It  will  keep  us  alive  to 
the  eternal  interests  of  all  whom  we  love,  but 
especially  of  each  other.  My  fervent  prayers 
shall  ascend  to  heaven  in  behalf  of  you  and  all 
my  friends.  May  the  Spirit  of  God  descend 
and  warm  our  cold  hearts,  and  help  us  to  be 
devoted  to  Him  who  loved  us  and  gave  him- 
self for  us. 

"The  text  last  Sabbath  was,  «  Behold,  I 
stand  at  the  door,  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear 
my  voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in 
to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with 
me.'  Mr.  Helm  said  the  Lord  was  knocking 
at  the  door  of  every  heart.  He  showed  how 
sinful  it  is  to  keep  the  Saviour  standing  with- 
out. He  finished  the  subject  in  the  evening, 
and  concluded  wTith  the  important  question — 
whether  we  would  longer  refuse  admission  to 
the  blessed  Saviour?  Let  us  ponder  this  in 
our  hearts  and  derive  much  instruction  from 
it.  I  wish  }'ou  could  hear  Mr.  H.,  although 
4* 


42  MEMOIR  OP 

you  may  have  equally  good  preaching  at 
home.  I  hope  you  find  much  comfort  in 
hearing  the  word  of  God. 

"  I,  too,  have  experienced  bitter  feelings 
among  my  companions  at  school,  and  can  truly 
sympathize  with  you.  I  find  it  very  hard  to 
do  right;  but  I  hope  these  things  will  be  of 
much  use  to  us,  in  preparing  us  to  bear  all 
manner  of  persecution  as  true  followers  of 
Christ.  I  know  this  has  not  been  uninterest- 
ing to  you,  if  I  may  judge  by  myself. 

Martha." 

Since  the  death  of  Martha,  a  paper  has 
been  found  dated  (and  evidently  written)  one 
day  later  than  the  above  letter,  and  three  days 
after  the  Sabbath  evening  referred  to.  It 
contains  the  following  solemn  consecration  of 
herself  to  God. 

"2  Cor.  viii.  5.  They  first  gave  their  oitmselves  to  the 
Lord. 

"Encouraged  by  this  example,  and  by  thy 
gracious  promise,  '  I  will  be  your  God,  and  ye 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  43 

shall  be  my  people,'  I  desire  now  to  devote 
myself  to  thee  wholly,  to  thee  alone,  and  to 
thee  for  ever.  Thine,  0  Lord,  I  am  by  crea- 
tion and  by  thy  providential  care;  and  I  de- 
sire, from  this  time  forth,  to  be  thine  by  re- 
deeming grace,  and  thine  by  my  own  cordial 
and  unreserved  dedication.  Though  by  na- 
ture I  am  a  child  of  wrath,  and  by  my  prac- 
tice have  too  long  and  too  obstinately  sinned 
against  Heaven  and  in  thy  sight;  yet  now  I 
desire  to  return  to  thee  from  whom  I  have 
revolted,  to  renounce  for  ever  the  slavery  of 
sin,  and  to  surrender  myself  to  thy  service. 
I  give  myself  to  thee,  0  Father,  and  beseech 
thee  put  me  among  thy  regenerated  and  adopt- 
ed children.  I  give  myself  to  thee,  0  Lord 
Jesus,  and  entreat  thee  to  be  my  Saviour, 
instructer,  governor,  and  intercessor.  I  give 
myself  to  thee,  0  Holy  Spirit,  and  implore 
thee  to  be  my  sanctifier,  quickener,  and  com- 
forter. I  give  myself  to  thee,  thou  one  Je- 
hovah, to  be  thine  in  soul  and  in  body,  in 


44  MEMOIR  OF 

time  and  through  eternity;  and  to  employ  all 
that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  possess  in  obeying 
thy  will  and  promoting  thy  glory.  I  give 
myself  to  thee,  resolved  to  take  thy  word  as 
my  daily  guide,  thy  people  as  my  companions, 
and  thy  ordinances  as  the  means  of  my  spiri- 
tual refreshment  and  progressive  edification; 
and  sensible  of  the  weakness  of  my  resolu- 
tions, I  desire  to  do  all  this  in  the  strength  of 
thy  promised  grace.  0  make  thy  grace  suf- 
ficient for  me;  and  accept  through  Christ  of 
this  dedication.  Help  me  daily  to  keep  in 
mind  that  I  have  thus  devoted  myself  to  thee 
a  living  sacrifice,  and  that  I  am  bound  to  glo- 
rify thee  with  my  body  and  spirit  which  are 
thine.  May  the  consideration  of  this  be  my 
guard  in  the  hour  of  temptation,  and  my  joy 
in  affliction  and  death.  Now,  Lord,  I  call 
heaven  and  earth  to  witness  that  I  am  willing- 
ly thine.     Lord,  save  thou  me. 

Martha  T.  Sharp, 
In  her  fifteenth  year." 
January  1,  1845. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  45 

Thus  we  see,  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen 
years  and  a  few  months,  this  interesting  child 
not  only  giving  her  heart  to  the  Lord  Jesus, 
but  subscribing  with  her  hand  a  devout  and 
solemn  covenant  to  live  for  him  only  and 
wholly.  But  owing  to  her  tender  youth,  and 
the  diffidence  with  which  she  regarded  her 
own  impressions,  it  was  long  before  she  felt 
authorized  to  make  a  public  profession  of  re- 
ligion. A  few  extracts  from  her  letters  to 
her  friend  will  show  the  tenor  of  her  views 
and  feelings  during  the  summer. 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

"  Salem,  N.  J.,  May  1,  1845. 

You  do  not  say  any  thing  about  the 

Saturday  concert.  I  hope  you  have  not  for- 
gotten it.  I  have  not:  but  still  remember  you 
before  the  mercy-seat.  I  hope,  my  dear  friend, 
you  have  not  allowed  your  serious  impres- 
sions to  pass  away  as  the  morning  dew.  Re- 
member how  important  it  is  for  you  to  think 


46  MEMOIR  OF 

of  these  things  before  it  is  too  late.  I  am 
sure  you  could  not  give  your  friends  more 
pleasure  than  by  consecrating  your  heart  and 
its  best  affections  to  the  Lord,  and  bowing  in 
humble  submission  at  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

"This  world  has  many  charms  for  the 
young;  and  we  who  are  just  entering  it,  and 
perhaps  look  forward  to  nothing  but  pleasure, 
should  be  fully  alive  to  its  temptations,  and 
remember  that  all  we  enjoy  comes  from  the 
Giver  of '  every  good  and  perfect  gift.'  This 
would  chasten  our  spirit,  and  fill  our  hearts 
with  love  to  God  and  man. 

"Mr.  H.  is  still  our  pastor.  He  is  about 
to  commence  a  Bible  class.  I  think  I  shall 
attend;  for  I  do  not  read,  much  less  under- 
«  stand,  the  scriptures  as  I  ought.  They  are 
aptly  compared  to  a  deep  mine,  which  yields 
more  the  deeper  you  dig. 

Martha.  " 


J^ARTHA  T.  SHARP.  47 

"  Salem,  N.  J.,  June  7,  1845. 

Indeed,  my  dear  Mary,  I  cannot  say  much 
for  my  romance.  If  you  mean  a  love  of  the 
beautiful  and  grand,  I  can  truly  sympathize 
with  you.  To  see  the  sublimity  of  Niagara 
and  the  scenery  of  Switzerland,  has  always 
been  my  desire.  I  sincerely  hope  my  fond- 
ness for  the  real  as  well  as  the  ideal  will 
never  lessen  our  affection  for  each  other. 

" Now  I  want  you  to  answer 

me  one  question.  If  you  have  not  forgotten 
the  subject  of  a  letter  dated  Dec.  31,  1S44, 
you  proposed  a  concert  of  prayer  on  Saturday 
evening.  This  I  have  punctually  kept.  Have 
you?  If  you  have  not  neglected  either  of 
these,  I  shall  be  truly  glad.  If  you  have  be- 
gun to  regard  them,  pursue  them  at  once,  and 
do  not  banish  all  serious  impressions,  lest  they 
never  return.  You  have  told  me  all  your 
feelings  for  a  long  time.  They  are  always 
interesting  to  me. 

"  Martha." 


48  MEMOIR  OF 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

«  Salem,  N.  J.,  June  30,  1845. 

How  pleasant  it  is  to  have  a  friend,  who 
you  know  loves  you  dearly  and  disinterested- 
ly; one  who  will  not  forsake  you  on  the 
slightest  provocation,  but  will  bear  with  your 
little  weaknesses.  No  one  values  friendship 
more  than  I  do;  and  no  one  feels  the  loss  of  it 
more.  A  sympathizing,  warm-hearted,  and 
devoted  friend,  is  what  few  know  how  to  va- 
lue and  fewer  still  possess.  I  hope  I  am  not 
mistaken  in  thinking  this  inestimable  treasure 
is  mine.  I  look  on  our  intimacy  with  the 
most  perfect  satisfaction.  I  do  not  feel  the 
least  backwardness  to  express  all  my  feelings 
to  you;  for  I  know  you  are  worthy  of  all  my 
confidence.  I  cannot  tell  you,  my  beloved 
friend,  how  dear  you  are  to  me. 

" How  rapidly  time  flies,  and 

how  miserably  do  we  improve  it!  When  we 
look  at  the  misspent  past,  are  we  more  anx- 
ious or  more  careful  in  view  of  the  future? 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  49 

Do  we  strive  to  live  better  in  consequence  of 
the  retrospect?  Can  we  answer  these  ques- 
tions with  candour  in  the  affirmative  ?  I  feel 
that  I  am  an  unprofitable  servant,  a  cumberer 
of  the  ground.  Why  am  I  spared?  Is  it  for 
usefulness,  or  that  I  may  treasure  up  wrath 
against  the  day  of  wrath?  This  is  an  all-im- 
portant subject.  I  fear  we  do  not  either  of  us 
think  of  it  as  we  ought. 

"  Martha." 


TO   MY   FATHER. 

My  father^  when  a  Jittle  child, 
Thy  kindness  soothed  my  sorrow  ; 

Thou  wiped'st  my  tears,  and  bade  me  hope 
For  pleasure  on  the  morrow. 

And  as  I  grew  to  riper  years, 

Whate'er  disturbed  my  heart, 
In  all  my  hopes  and  all  my  fears, 

Thou  ever  took'st  a  part, 
5 


50  MEMOIR  OF  MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

When  age  shall  furrow  o'er  thy  brow, 
And  calm  thy  youthful  fire, 

Thy  daughter,  whom  thou  lovest  now, 
Shall  sooth  in  turn  her  sire. 

I'll  tend  thee  with  unceasing  care, 

In  sickness  and  in  pain ; 
And  all  the  love  thou  gavest  me, 

I  will  requite  again. 

And  when  the  Lord  thy  soul  shall  take 
From  this  sad  earth  away, 

Oh !  may  thy  spirit  then  depart 
To  realms  of  endless  day. 


CHAPTER  IV 


;  I  pray  not  for  this  world's  vain  hope ; 
The  soul  desires  a  larger  scope, 

Destined  to  live  for  ever. 
I  ask  not  many  years  to  live, 
But  that  in  those  Thou  wilPst  to  give, 

I  may  forget  Thee  never." 


In  order  to  afford  their  daughter  advantages 
superior  to  those  found  in  a  small  village,  her 
parents  determined  to  place  Martha  at  school 
in  Philadelphia.  This  took  place  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1845.  She  became  a  pupil  in  the 
school  of  Miss  F.  A.  Strong,  on  Washington 
Square;  residing  herself  in  the  family  of  her 


52  MEMOIR  OP 

grandfather,  Edward  Smith,  Esq.  Here  she 
was  engaged  in  the  usual  employments  of  a 
school  during  the  allotted  hours;  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  time  was  divided  between  her 
studies  and  the  company  of  her  relatives. 
The  following  testimony  from  her  teacher 
will  sufficiently  show  the  manner  in  which 
her  duty  as  a  pupil  was  discharged. 

From  Miss  F.  A.  Strong. 

"  Of  my  dear  pupil,  Martha,  it  will  give  me 
great  pleasure  to  send  you  my  general  im- 
pressions. 1  regret  extremely  that  I  shall 
not  be  able  to  do  more.  But  our  intercourse 
was  almost  entirely  confined  to  the  school 
hours;  and  then  we  were  both  too  busy  to 
have  much  time  for  conversation. 

"Martha  possessed  very  quick  perceptions, 
and  great,  facility  in  acquiring  knowledge;  so 
that  the  studies  of  her  class  were  not  sufficient 
to  occupy  her  time,  and  with  the  addition  of 
French  and  music,  she  often  thought  she  had 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  53 

not  enough  to  do.  This  aptitude  was  not,  as 
is  often  the  case,  accompanied  by  superficial 
views,  or  habits  of  carelessness  or  inattention, 
On  the  contrary,  she  thought  deeply,  and  was 
uncommonly  persevering  and  industrious.  She 
was  decidedly  superior,  both  in  talents  and  ac- 
quirements, to  most  of  her  companions.  I 
never  had  a  pupil  more  uniformly  attentive  to 
my  slightest  wish:  from  the  first,  a  hint  upon 
any  point  was  sufficient. 

"When  she  became  a  member  of  the  school, 
1  was  not  aware  that  Martha  had  ever  consi- 
dered herself  a  Christian;  though  I  have  since 
learned  that  she  had.  Perhaps  new  scenes  and 
new  duties  diminished,  for  a  time,  the  fervour 
of  religious  feeling.  But  there  was  a  great 
change  in  her  whole  appearance  before  she 
left  us.  It  was  evident  that  serious  things 
occupied  the  first  place  in  her  thoughts.  The 
peculiar  gentleness  of  her  manner — her  meek- 
ness in  bearing  injuries — and  her  great  con- 
scientiousness excited  the  surprise  of  the 
5* 


54  MEMOIR  OP 

thoughtless ;  while  her  Christian  friends  re- 
cognised, with  joy,  the  fruits  of  that  love  to 
God  which  was  deepening  and  swelling  in  her 
heart.  We  little  thought  how  soon  she  would 
be  with  the  angels! 

"  I  feel  that  what  I  have  said  can  be  of  lit- 
tle service  to  you;  but  it  may  be  a  gratification 
to  her  family  to  know  that  her  memory  here 
is  blessed.  F.  A.  Strong." 

The  introduction  of  a  young  person  of  ar- 
dent and  susceptible  mind  into  a  large  city, 
frequently  induces  considerable  change  in  the 
taste,  inclination,  and  habits.  Perhaps  the 
reader  may  infer,  from  an  expression  in  Miss 
Strong's  letter,  that  this  was  the  case  with 
Martha.  The  writer  has  no  desire  to  repre- 
sent the  fact  otherwise  than  it  really  was;  but 
he  believes  that  such  a  supposition  would  be 
altogether  erroneous.  As  far  as  can  be  known, 
her  individual  life  went  on  without  any  mate- 
rial change.  Although,  by  the  position  of  her 
friends,  she  enjoyed  the  best  view  of  the  city, 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  55 

she  was  not  exposed  to  its  estranging  influ- 
ences. Indeed  she  had  but  little  affinity  for 
its  peculiar  manners  and  spirit.  Life,  in  a 
large  city,  seemed  to  her  mind,  too  artificial. 
Its  refinement  appeared  to  her  too  frequently 
akin  to  dissimulation;  while,  from  its  God- 
forgetting  pleasures,  and  soul-destroying  fol- 
lies, her  soul  drew  back  with  instinctive  ab- 
horrence. The  diminution  of  religious  fervour, 
of  which  Miss  S.  speaks,  was  in  part  only 
seeming ;  and,  as  far  as  it  was  real,  depended 
on  causes  which  she  felt  and  deplored  in  her 
journal  and  correspondence.  In  the  first  place, 
contrary  to  what  she  desired,  she  went  to  the 
city  without  having  made  a  public  profession 
of  religion.  This  placed  her  at  a  great  disad- 
vantage. She  was  not  recognised  as  a  Chris- 
tian: she  could  not,  herself,  easily  assume  the 
posture  of  one.  Her  very  position  was  iso- 
lated, and  having  no  interchange  of  views  and 
feelings  with  other  Christians,  her  own  emo- 
tions  were   necessarily  confined   to   herself, 


56  MEMOIR  OF 

except  so  far  as  expressed  in  a  correct  deport- 
ment, which  was  always  the  case.  But  as 
soon  as  her  pious  schoolmates  recognised  and 
addressed  her  as  a  Christian,  they  found  a  warm 
and  tender  response.  She  could  then  give  ex- 
pression to  the  deep  and  earnest  feelings  of 
her  heart,  and  the  savour  of  a  living  piety  could 
be  sensibly  discerned  when  the  fetters  were 
removed  from  her  soul. 

But  Martha  did,  herself,  suppose  her  soul 
less  prosperous  at  that  period.  Not,  indeed, 
because  she  felt  the  deadening  influence  of 
fashion  or  gayety,  but  because  she  did  not  en- 
joy the  same  means  of  grace,  and  the  same 
opportunity  of  cultivating  personal  religion. 
Of  this  she  speaks  feelingly  in  her  letters,  and 
also  in  the  following  lines  written  at  this  time : 

"  RHYME. 
"When  the  Sabbath  comes  round  with  its  calmness  and 

rest, 
And  the  church-going  bell  tells  us  where  to  be  blest : 
When  each  wends  his  way  to  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
To  feast  on  the  blessings  that  flow  from  his  word ; 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  57 

My  heart  is  borne  far  from  the  noise  and  the  strife 

Of  the  large  crowded  city — its  bustle  and  life, 

To  my  own  village  church,  with  its  sweet  solemn  air, 

And  I  hear  the  low  sound  of  my  own  pastor's  prayer. 

Then  I  melt  into  tears  as  the  hymns  sweetly  rise, 

In  praise  to  the  Eternal,  who  dwells  in  the  skies. 

And  Oh !  when  I  see  my  dear  minister  stand 

And  point  out  the  way  to  the  heavenly  land, 

I  feel  that  the  Lord  my  blest  portion  shall  be ; 

In  Him  all  enjoyment,  all  pleasure  I  see. 

But,  alas  !  the  illusion  is  speedily  o'er, 

I  return  to  the  city's  confusion  once  more  ; 

I  find  that  the  pleasure  such  day-dreams  afford, 

Is  disturbed  by  a  laugh,  or  a  sigh,  or  a  word. 

And  am  I  condemned  now  for  ever  to  roam, 

Away,  far  away,  from  my  dear  country  home  ? 

Oh  no,  yet  a  little,  I'll  go  back  again, 

And  forget  my  long  absence,  which  now  causes  pain. 

Again  I  will  join  in  the  anthems  of  praise, 

Which  devoutly  those  loved  ones  in  unison  raise  ! 

And  while  I  rest  wholly  on  Jesus'  dear  name, 

His  kingdom's  advancement  shall  be  my  sole  aim. 

Martha  T.  Sharp." 

A  very  intelligent  lady  communicates  her 
impressions  of  Martha  as  follows: 


58  MEMOIR  OF 

"My  acquaintance  with  her  was  not  of  long 
standing.  But  some  circumstances  favoured 
a  closer  intimacy  than  could  have  ordinarily 
been  obtained  in  so  short  a  time.  I  was  for 
several  weeks  indisposed  at  her  grandfather's, 
and  she  passed  a  great  deal  of  her  time,  when 
she  was  not  at  school,  with  me  in  my  room, 
and  I  can  never  forget  her  kindness.  She 
seemed  to  me  to  be  remarkably  staid  and  se- 
date for  one  of  her  years.  Whether  this  was 
her  natural  disposition,  I  do  not  know.  Her 
acquaintance  with  the  doctrines  of  our  own 
church  seemed  accurate  and  discriminating, 
uncommonly  so  for  one  so  young;  and  she 
used  frequently  to  express  a  strong  and  de- 
cided attachment  to  the  Presbyterian  church, 
saying  she  could  never  leave  it  for  any  other. 
We  had  some  conversation  on  religious  sub- 
jects, and  her  views  appeared  to  me  very  ma- 
ture. But  as  she  said  very  little  about  her 
personal  feelings,  I  did  not  then  learn  that  she 
was  experimentally  a  Christian.     The  whole 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  59 

tenor  of  her  behaviour,  as  far  as  I  saw,  was 
very  exemplary. 

"  Her  whole  character  I  regarded  as  a  well 
balanced  and  matured  one,  and  it  presented 
itself  to  me  in  the  distinct  traits  of  solid  judg- 
ment, united  with  quick  perceptions,  an  un- 
commonly retentive  memory,  and  a  warm  and 
affectionate  heart.  Of  her  pastor  she  very 
often  talked  to  me,  and  always  in  the  most 
affectionate  and  enthusiastic  terms. 

M.  P." 

The  following  extracts  from  her  correspon- 
dence with  her  friend,  will  show  the  state  of 
her  mind  at  this  period : 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

"Philadelphia,  Oct.  1,  1845, 

"  Alas,  my  dear   Mary,  you  ask 

me  to  pray  for  you.  How  can  my  prayers 
be  availing,  if  you  do  not  pray  for  yourself? 
I  do  pray  for  you.  Every  week — nay,  of- 
tener,  my  petitions  are  directed  to  the  throne 


60  MEMOIR  OP 

of  grace  in  behalf  of  one  whom  I  shall  always 
love  dearly.  Pray  for  me,  and  do  not  grieve 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  lest  he  never  return. 

Martha." 

To  the  Same. 

Philadelphia,  November  27,  1845. 

(i  Do  you  remember  the  Saturday 

concert  now?  I  hope  you  do.  I  believe  I 
have  never  omitted  it  once  since  we  com- 
menced ;  and  the  subject  of  the  letter  of  De- 
cember, I  hope  you  wTill  endeavour  not  to 
forget.  I  do  not  intend  ever  to  forget  these 
things;  and  they  are  of  too  much  importance 
to  give  them  a  small  place  in  my  heart.  They 
are  worthy  of  all  my  attention,  or  they  are 
not  worthy  of  any.  Will  you  not  bear  me 
company?  I  cannot  bear  to  leave  you  behind 
me  when  so  much  is  at  stake.  Once,  I  know, 
you  thought  of  these  things  seriously.  Do 
not,  Oh!  do  not  neglect  them  now.  I  did  not 
feel  at  liberty  to  say  any  thing  on  the  subject 
when  you  were  here.     But  will  you  not  tell 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  61 

me  all  your  feelings,  all  your  hopes,  and  all 
your  fears  ? 

"  I  know  the  world  has  charms  for  us.  Oh ! 
how  important  it  is  that  we  should  choose 
the  good  part  while  we  are  young,  before  the 
sins  and  temptations  of  this  busy  world  have 
fastened  themselves  upon  us !  Now,  while 
our  hearts  are  susceptible,  before  they  become 
hard  and  insensible;  'now  is  the  accepted 
time,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.' 

Martha.'5 

The  following  entry  is  found  on  the  paper 
containing  the  dedication  of  herself  to  God. 

"January  1,  1846. — Another  year  has 
passed,  and  I  desire  to  renew  this  dedication, 
with  an  earnest  prayer  that  I  may  be  kept 
more  in  the  spirit  of  it  through  the  coming 
year.  Lord,  I  am  thine.  Lord,  save  thou  me, 
I  beseech  thee,  for  thy  Son's  sake. 

M.  T.  S. 

In  her  sixteenth  year." 
Salem,  New  Jersey. 
6 


62  MEMOIR  OF 

The  usual  Christmas  holydays  allowed  her 
to  make  a  brief  visit  to  her  parents  and  friends 
at  home. 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  28,  1846, 
"  How  can  I  express  to  yon,  my  dear  Mary, 
the  joy  and  gratitude  I  felt  on  reading  your 
letter?  Have  you  indeed  sought  and  found 
the  Saviour?  If  so,  can  it  be  in  answer  to  my 
prayers — prayers  offered  in  so  much  unbelief 
and  faithlessness  ?  Yet  it  would  be  doubly 
unbelieving  and  faithless  to  think  they  had 
nothing  to  do  with  it.  Now  let  me  caution 
you  with  the  importunity  of  a  friend,  to  rely 
wholly  upon  God.  Do  not  trust  to  yourself. 
Repair  often  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  be- 
seech your  heavenly  Father  for  the  gift  of  his 
Holy  Spirit.  Take  his  burden  upon  you  and 
learn  of  him,  for  he  is  meek  and  lowly  in 
heart.  But  perhaps  it  is  arrogant  in  me  to 
advise  you,  when  I  so  much  need  advice  my- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  63 

self.  I  am  afraid  1  am  declining  in  spiritual 
things.  I  feel  their  importance  as  much,  if 
not  more  than  ever;  but  I  am  not  so  earnest 
in  my  endeavours  after  holiness  as  I  was. 
When  I  was  at  home,  and  had  my  own  dear 
pastor,  and  sat  in  our  little  church  listening  to 
the  words  of  eternal  life  that  fell  from  his  be- 
loved lips,  I  felt  willing  to  devote  every  thing 
— my  all  to  Christ's  service.  Now  Satan 
suggests,  'The  Lord  will  not  forgive;  you 
have  vowed  and  not  paid;  you  cannot  expect 
mercy.'  Oh  that  I  could  say  with  a  little  boy 
of  whom  I  once  read, c  Mother,  God  is  not 
angry  with  me  now ;  I  love  you,  I  love  every 
body.'     Will  you  pray  for  me? 

"  Have  you  ever  read  the  memoir  of  Mary 
Lundie  Duncan?  It  is  a  most  delightful 
book,  and  I  am  sure  you  would  like  it.  She 
was  the  loveliest  character  I  have  ever  met 
with:  the  nearest  being  perfect.  It  is  touch- 
ing to  read  her  journal.  The  humility  and 
dependence  on  God  there  manifested  is  asto- 


64  MEMOIR  OF 

nishing.  Then  she  was  so  beautiful,  so  intelli- 
gent. Too  lovely  a  flower  to  bloom  here;  a 
kind  Providence  transplanted  her  to  flourish 
in  those  regions  where  sin  and  sorrow  never 
come.  There  she  rests  on  the  bosom  of  her 
Saviour,  free  from  the  troubles  of  this  life. 
No  doubt  she  is  casting  her  crown  at  his  feet, 
and  saying,  <  Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty/ Oh!  my  dear  Mary,  can  ive  not 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  this  disciple  ?  Let 
us  try. 

"  Doddridge's  <  Rise  and  Progress  of  Reli- 
gion in  the  Soul,'  and  the  i  Great  Change,' 
are  highly  interesting  books.  Do  read  them, 
if  you  can  procure  them,  with  prayer. 

"Would  it  not  be  delightful,  if  we  could 
join  the  church  on  the  same  day?  Perhaps 
you  have  not  thought  of  it;  and  yet  as  you 
have  chosen,  you  think,  the  good  part,  you 
will  profess  your  faith,  I  suppose.  But  / 
have  waited  long,  trembling  for  fear  of  de- 
ception ;  and  I  am  still  no  better.     I  do  not 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  65 

make  progress  in  the  Christian  life  as  I  ought. 
I  think  I  am  not  fit  to  make  a  profession;  and 
yet  if  I  am  not  fit  now,  I  never  shall  be.  In- 
deed I  never  can  be  worthy  to  partake  of  the 
Holy  Sacrament.  Still,  as  it  is  an  ordinance 
of  Christ,  and  a  means  of  strengthening  my 
faith,  I  shall  deem  it  my  duty  to  connect  my- 
self with  the  church  and  become  a  Christian 
by  profession. 

Martha." 

To  the  Same. 

Philadelphia,  April  30,  1846. 
.  .  .  .  "  Our  happening  to  have  read  the 
same  books  would  have  argued  some  simi- 
larity in  our  tastes,  had  they  been  of  our  own 
selection.  But  I  had  no  choice  in  any  but 
Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress ;  the  rest  were 
unexpected  presents.  Our  liking  them,  how- 
ever, implies  that  our  tastes  are  alike;  and  I 
have  reason  to  hope  they  are,  at  least  on  the 
subject  of  religion.  We  have  both  giver 
6* 


66  MEMOIR  OF 

ourselves  to  the  Saviour,  and  set  out  in  the 
path  that  leads  to  life.  You,  I  have  been  told, 
have  professed  Christ  before  men;*  and  ever 
since  I  heard  it,  I  have  prayed  daily  that  God 
would  uphold  you  by  his  free  Spirit.  When 
I  first  felt  my  sin  and  flew  to  the  mercy-seat 
for  relief,  you  always  found  a  place  in  my  pe- 
titions; and  since  I  have  hoped  I  was  a  child 
of  grace,  God  alone  knows  how  earnestly  I 
have  prayed  for  your  conversion.  Now,  Oh ! 
can  I  be  thankful  enough  ?  I  cannot  express 
my  joy ;  but  I  know  that  our  Father  can  see 
the  depth  of  my  gratitude.  I  trust  the  next 
time  we  meet,  we  shall  both  be  members  of 
the  visible  church ;  and  surely  we  shall  love 
each  other  more  when  we  can  rejoice  in  the 
same  Saviour,  and  feel  that c  he  is  able  to  keep 
that  which  we  have  committed  unto  him 
against  that  day/  Oh,  it  is  enough  to  make 
us  joyful !  Did  you  ever  feel  so  happy  in  all 
your  life?  Did  you  ever  experience  such 
*  This  proved  to  be  a  mistake. 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  67 

peace?  If  you  are  at  all  like  me,  you  rejoice, 
but '  with  trembling.'  I  find  so  much  to  re- 
tard my  progress — so  much  that  binds  me 
down  to  earth,  that  sometimes  I  am  tempted 
to  give  up  in  despair.  But  Christ's  strength 
is  6  made  perfect  in  my  weakness,'  and  I  know 
he  will  save  me.  Do  you  feel  as  I  do  ?  Tell 
me  all  in  your  next 

Martha." 

Since  her  death,  a  small  manuscript  volume 
has  been  found,  containing  a  journal  begun 
while  at  school  in  Philadelphia.  The  memo- 
randa are  entered  at  irregular,  and  often  dis- 
tant intervals,  just  as  a  spare  moment  was 
found ;  and  occasionally  she  seems  to  have 
been  interrupted  in  the  very  midst  of  an  en- 
try. She  states  that  she  had  been  accustomed 
for  some  time  previous,  to  write  brief  notices 
in  pencil,  on  detached  slips  of  paper.  These 
were  probably  destroyed  from  time  to  time. 
Her  object   in  giving  it  a  more  permanent 


68  MEMOIR  OF 

form,  she  states  thus  :  "  that  I  may  be  able  to 
judge  more  correctly  of  my  real  character,  to 
advance  in  holiness,  and  to  correct  that  which 
is  amiss."  Brief  and  hasty  as  these  notes  are, 
they  give  interesting  and  vivid  glimpses  of 
what  was  going  on  in  her  experience. 

"May  18,  1S46. — To-day  I  have  done 
many  wrong  things  which  must  be  corrected. 
Oh,  for  more  grace  !  I  got  up  too  late  this 
morning;  I  must  try  to  wake  at  five  to-mor- 
row. The  first  thing  when  I  rise  is,  to  kneel 
and  thank  God  for  his  mercies,  and  entreat  a 
continuation  of  them.  By  six,  my  dressing 
and  all  will  be  done;  I  will  then  study  till 
breakfast,  and  after  breakfast  till  school-time, 
I  must  be  careful  to  avoid  smiling  in  school. 
My  father  came  to  town  to-day.  Gracious 
Saviour,  be  with  him  and  bless  him." 

"  Tuesday,  May  19,  1846.  I  got  up  too 
late  this  morning.  I  wish  I  could  wake  ear- 
lier; and  hope  I  may  succeed  to-morrow.  I 
was  more  careful  to-day  in  school;  and  yet  in 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  69 

my  most  watchful  moments,  how  many  things 
I  do  that  are  wrong.  I  took  my  Music  lesson 
this  afternoon;  have  not  wasted  much  time 
to-day.  Miss  Strong  wrote  me  a  note  to-day; 
I  love  her  much,  she  is  so  very  kind.  Fa- 
ther and  aunts  went  to  hear  Mr.  Gough,  the 
famous  temperance  lecturer;  but  my  head 
ached  so  badly,  that  I  did  not  go.  I  fear  I 
spoke  impatiently  to  E.  to-day.  I  must  pray 
to  be  more  Christ-like.  Oh!  I  am  all  sin  and 
uncleanness.  Gracious  Redeemer,  purify  me 
by  thine  own  blood.  Wash  me,  and  I  shall  be 
clean. 

Wednesday,  May  20, 1846.  I  did  not  get 
up  at  five  this  morning;  to-morrow  I  must 
make  a  double  effort.  At  school  as  usual  to- 
day— knew  all  my  lessons — my  conduct  pro- 
per so  far  as  I  know. 

"  I  have  spoken  impatiently  and  felt  angry 
to-day.  Oh  that  I  could  control  myself  more. 
Blessed  Saviour,  when  will  I  be  like  thee? 
Father  in  heaven,  help  me  to  do  right — teach 


70  MEMOIR  OP 

me  by  thy  word.  'Open  thou  my  lips,  and 
my  mouth  shall  show  forth  thy  praise/  " 

Thursday,  May  21,  1846.— To-day  much 
as  usual.  Missed  my  history  lesson — rather 
uncommon,  but  every  one  fails  sometimes.  I 
must  wake  at  five  to-morrow.  S.  E.,  M.  N.? 
and  E.  here  this  evening.  I  am  sorry  to  say 
that  I  spoke  impatiently;  with  some  cause,  it  is 
true,  but  still  I  ought  to  be  more  careful.  Oh! 
that  I  might  be  perfectly  amiable.  I  fear  that 
few  would  think  me  a  child  of  God.  And 
am  I? — I  will  not  doubt  the  mercy  of  God, 
He  has  promised,  and  will  he  not  perform? 
I  feel  miserable  to-night.  Omitted  reading 
this  morning.  All  comes  of  over-sleeping 
myself." 

Sunday,  May  24,  1 846.  I  went  to  bed 
earlier  last  night  on  purpose  to  wake  early, 
but  did  not  succeed.  I  hope  I  shall  to-mor- 
row. Heard  Dr.  Krebs,  of  New  York,  preach 
this  morning.  In  the  afternoon  Mr.  Moore, 
a  gentleman  who  was  licensed  at  Salem,  [five 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  71 

years  previously,]  preached  an  excellent  dis- 
course from  the  text, — i  Martha,  Martha,  thou 
art  careful  and  troubled  about  many  things: 
but  one  thing  is  needful.'  Oh!  may  /attend 
first  to  the  one  thing  needful. 

Much  to  my  disappointment,  M came 

in  and  stayed  all  the  evening.  I  endeavoured 
to  make  it  profitable,  but  only  with  partial 
success.  I  knew  it  was  not  right  to  spend 
Sabbath  hours  in  that  manner.  But  aunt  did 
not  think  it  was  advisable  for  me  to  say  so. 
I  will  try  to  avoid  it,  if  spared,  till  another 
Sabbath.  I  do  so  many  things  wrong  that  I 
almost  despair  of  forgiveness.  My  heart  is 
wrong.  I  must  return  to  God  more  fully  this 
very  night  and  beseech  his  forgiveness." 

Monday,  May  25th,  1846. — Rose  at  five; 
had  much  freedom  and  earnestness  in  prayer. 
But  how  many  sins  have  I  to  mourn  over! 
Alas,  that  my  heart  is  so  hard — so  full  of  un- 
belief. Have  suffered  exceedingly  from  head- 
ache to-day.     But  I  must  not  repine.     God 


72  MEMOIR  OF 

chastens  me  for  good,  and  I  will  bow  submis- 
sively to  his  will.  I  have  endeavoured  to  act 
aright  to-day.  Have  not  heard  from  home 
for  some  time,  but  hope  I  shall  soon.  I  must 
bear  the  dear  ones  there  oftener  to  the  mercy- 
seat.  Oh,  that  they  may  be  all  born  again! 
The  state  of  religion  is  low  in  Salem.  Lord, 
revive  thy  work  and  pour  out  a  blessing. 
The  rain  has  cooled  the  air.  Lord,  I  thank 
thee  that  the  oppressive  heat  has  abated." 

"  Wednesday  evening,  June  3d,  1S46. — 
Heard  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer  preach  from  the  text 
— 6  If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and 
just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us 
from  all  unrighteousness.'  A  most  searching 
sermon.  Oh,  that  I  might  profit  by  it!  But 
I  am  so  cold  and  have  so  many  sins  to  mourn 
over."  "  I  am  trying  (Oh,  how  hard!)  to  do 
right;  and  yet  I  am  all  sin  and  pollution.  I 
trust  in  Jesus'  dear  name  for  pardon  and  sane- 
tification.  Mary  I.  has  not  joined  the 
church:  it  was  a  mistake:  I  am  sorry  to  hear 
it  was  not  true." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  73 

The  last  remark  has  reference  to  the  friend 
1o  whom  she  felt  so  tender  an  attachment,  and 
for  whose  conversion  she  longed  and  prayed 
so  earnestly.  There  had  been  an  interesting 
revival  in  the  congregation  where  her  friend 
resided;  and  through  some  mistake  she  had 
been  told  that  Miss  I.  was  one  of  its  sub- 
jects. The  reader  has  already  seen  the  trans- 
port of  joy  and  gratitude  with  which  she  re- 
ceived the  intelligence.  A  letter  now  unde- 
ceived her,  and  the  sentence  above  records 
the  sorrowful  disappointment.  Her  feelings 
are  better  expressed  in  a  letter  to  the  young 
lady  herself. 

"Philadelphia,  June  1, 1846. 
"  And  is  it  possible,  my  own  beloved  Mary, 
is  it  possible  that  you  love  novel-reading  more 
than  heaven — more  than  God — more  than 
your  Saviour?  Can  you  reflect  on  this  all- 
important  subject;  can  you  consider  it  fully? 
and  yet  cling  to  the  paltry  pleasures  of  a  silly 
7 


74  MEMOIR  OP 

story  ?  Suppose  you  were  to  die — yes,  my 
dearest  Mary,  die — what  would  it  profit  you? 
Oh!  how  would  you  feel  when,  standing  be- 
fore the  bar  of  God,  you  heard  your  Saviour 
saying — '  you  have  despised  my  mercy,  slight- 
ed my  love;  depart  from  me  into  everlasting 
darkness?'  I  entreat  you  to  consider  this. 
Will  you  not — Oh!  will  you  not  receive  Christ 
as  your  Saviour?  He  is  an  all-sufficient,  an 
ever-willing  and  merciful  Redeemer;  who 
will  take  you  to  his  bosom  and  give  you  grace 
to  act  a  better  part.  Oh!  how  shall  I  tell  you 
my  grief  at  hearing  you  are  not  determined 
to  serve  the  Lord.  I  cannot  urge  any  more 
effectual  reasons.  I  cannot  tell  you  how  much 
I  desire  you  to  be  a  Iamb  of  Christ's  flock. 
But  I  can  pray  for  you,  and  that  I  most  cer- 
tainly will  do. 

"  1  do  not  read  novels.  I  think  it  would 
be  wrong.  When  my  mind  is  mature — when 
I  can  turn  from  a  romance  to  the  Bible  with 
as  much  delight;  then,  and  then  only,  will  I 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  75 

indulge  in  novel-reading.  And  can  I  not  per- 
suade you  to  make  the  same  resolution?  Go 
to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  lay  your  whole 
heart  before  God.  Confess  little  sins,  sins  of 
thought  as  well  as  of  deed.  Think  not  it  is 
too  much  trouble,  but  tell  your  heavenly  Fa- 
ther every  thing;  and  relying  on  his  strength, 
go  forth  with  the  firm  determination  to  serve 
the  Lord.  Consecrate  yourself  unreservedly 
to  him,  and  may  the  Spirit  of  all  truth  over- 
shadow you  and  lead  you  in  the  way  of  life. 

"  My  cousins  are  in  the  parlour,  and  I  am 
in  the  dining-room.  A  letter  to  a  dear,  kind 
friend  occupies  me;  the  piano  them.  I  prefer 
my  employment.  I  will  remember  you  more 
particularly  in  our  Saturday  concert:  and  as 
for  myself,  pray  that  I  may  love  Christ  and 
hate  sin  more.  Mary,  my  prayers  will  do  no 
good,  unless  seconded  by  yours.  But  I  hope 
that  you  will  remain  cold  no  longer,  but  con- 
secrate the  morning  of  your  days  to  Him 
who  bought  you  with  his  own  precious  blood. 

Martha." 


76  MEMOIR  OF 

Reference  has  been  already  made  to  the 
constraint  laid  upon  her  feelings  when  she 
first  entered  school  in  Philadelphia.  After  a 
time,  however,  she  found  a  few  of  her  fellow 
pupils  like-minded  with  herself  on  the  subject 
of  religion;  and  their  souls  were  immediately 
knit  together  as  the  soul  of  David  and  Jona- 
than. With  two,  at  least,  of  these,  she  held  a 
free  and  confidential  correspondence  by  means 
of  little  notes.  These  were  written  hastily^ 
with  pencil,  in  leisure  moments;  but  they  re- 
veal the  serious,  earnest,  and  devout  character 
of  her  religious  feelings.  Her  teachers,  also, 
interested  for  her  spiritual  welfare,  made  such 
approaches  to  her  on  the  subject  as  caused 
her  to  disclose  the  state  of  her  mind  to  them. 
One  of  them  put  into  her  hands  with  a  note? 
James'  Anxious  Inquirer,  which  she  read,  and 
returned  with  the  following  answer. 

"  My  dear  Miss  L., 

"  I  fear  it  is  presuming  in  me  to  write  to  you 
without  an  invitation.     But  I  feel  too  deeply 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  77 

the  kindness  that  induced  you  to  lend  me  the 
book  I  return,  not  to  thank  you  for  it.  Al- 
though I  hope  that  I  am  not  now  only  <  the 
Anxious  Inquirer/  still  I  found  it  no  ineffec- 
tual guide  in  leading  me  to  look  only  to  Jesus. 
I  liked  the  chapter  headed  <  Perplexities  of 
Inquirers/  particularly;  and  though  I  found 
some  parts  not  peculiarly  applicable  to  me,  it 
was,  on  the  whole,  a  book  I  very  much  need- 
ed. I  read  it  as  you  requested,  seriously  and 
prayerfully,  with  attention  to  the  directions 
in  the  preface,  and  must  again  gratefully  ac- 
knowledge the  kindness  which  led  you  to 
offer  it  to  me. 

"I  have  a  friend,  whom  I  think  seriously 
inclined.  With  your  permission  I  should 
like  to  lend  it  to  her;  and  if  I  do  not  ask  too 
much,  I  should  be  exceedingly  obliged  for 
another  note  to 

Your  affectionate  pupil, 

Martha  T.  Sharp." 


78  MEMOIR  OP 

One  of  her  schoolmates,  Miss  Elizabeth 
D.,  of  whom  her  teacher  speaks  as  "  an  in- 
teresting young  Christian/'  addressed  her  a 
note  on  the  subject  of  their  experimental 
views  and  feelings.  After  an  apology  for 
the  seeming  abruptness  of  the  correspondence, 
and  a  hope  that  Martha  would  not  like  her 
less  for  the  liberty  she  was  taking,  she  says: 
"It  was  with  great  pleasure  that  I  learned 
you  had  become  a  Christian.  (Miss  S.  told 
me.)  We  are  now,  if  indeed  believers,  sis- 
ters in  Christ."  She  then  inquires  of  Martha 
respecting  the  personal  comfort  of  her  reli- 
gious experience ;  stating  that  contrary  to  what 
she  anticipated  before  her  conversion,  her 
own  joy  had  been  mingled  with  a  painful 
sense  of  remaining  imperfection  and  sin,  and 
that  she  could  feel  comfortable  only  in  a  trust- 
ing dependence  on  Christ.  After  speaking  of 
prayer,  in  which  she  advises  her  friend  to 
employ  an  audible  voice,  the  note  concludes 
with  a  few  words  of  encouragement,  fortified 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  79 

by  pertinent  texts  of  scripture.     To  this  note 
Martha  gave  the  following  reply. 

"  My  dear  Lizzy, 

I  do  love  you  more  for  the  note  you  wrote 
me,  and  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  an- 
swering it.  I  have  hoped  I  was  a  Christian, 
and  for  several  years  have  been  very  serious. 
But  I  am  continually  fearful  of  being  deceived ; 
and  every  day  I  see  so  much  wickedness  in 
my  heart,  that  I  often  think  I  am  not  a  child 
of  God.  Often  I  do  not  want  to  pray.  Are 
you  not  shocked,  dear  Lizzy?  Never  mind, 
I  will  tell  you.  I  sometimes  feel  a  disincli- 
nation to  prayer,  and  when  I  do  pray,  it 
seems  as  though  it  was  no  prayer  at  all.  Did 
you  ever  feel  so?  I  do  not  suppose  you  ever 
did:  but  perhaps  you  will  not  dislike  it  that  I 
have  told  you  about  it.  I  have  often  felt 
great  relief  in  praying  aloud;  but  here  [in  the 
city]  I  can  seldom  have  an  opportunity  to  do 
so  for  fear  of  being  heard.     At  home  I   can 


SO  MEMOIR  OP 

go  away  to  a  little  room  adjoining  mine,  and 
no  one  is  near  but  God.  Then  I  can  pour 
out  my  whole  heart  to  him;  and  when  I  rise, 
I  feel  happier  and  holier.  I  enjoy  it  very 
much ;  and  this  makes  me  think  I  am  a  Chris- 
tian. Besides  I  have  given  myself  to  God, 
and  he  has  promised  to  receive  me.  There 
can  be  no  presumption  in  taking  him  at  his 
word.  I  do  not  feel  perfectly  happy ;  but  I 
feel  happier  than  when  I  thought  God  was 
angry  with  me.  You  are  young,  Lizzy,  and 
I  think  you  not  inconsistent.  You  know 
how  far  you  have  tried  to  do  right,  and  God 
looketh  at  the  heart.  Perhaps  we  can  help 
each  other.     Wo'n't  you  please  answer  me 

very  soon? 

Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 

The  other  notes  of  Miss  D.  have  not  been 
found.  But  the  following  written  by  Mar- 
tha to  her,  will  show  the  character  of  their 
intercourse. 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  81 

To  Miss  E.  D. 
"  My  dear  Libby, 

I  have  not  entirely  forgotten  to  write  to 
you;  but  I  have  so  many  other  things  to  do, 
that  I  am  often  at  a  loss  for  time.  I  am  sen- 
sible, deeply  sensible,  of  the  solemnity  of 
devoting  myself  entirely  to  the  Saviour;  and  I 
scarcely  think  any  one  could  regard  it  in  a 
more  serious  light  than  I  do.  But  then  as 
Christ  commanded  us  to  acknowledge  Him 
before  men — and  I  know  he  never  commands 
any  thing  that  we  cannot  do — 1  think  we 
ought  to  obey  him.  I  am  always  afraid  of  dis- 
honouring him.  Or  if  I  have  been  deceived, 
and  am  still  *  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  the 
bonds  of  iniquity,'  the  thought  of  it  makes 
me  shudder.  I  earnestly  desire  holiness;  and 
it  must  be  God  who  is  <  working  in  me  both 
to  will  and  to  do.'  I  will  trust  him;  and  if  I 
perish,  will  perish  at  his  feet. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 


82  MEMOIR  OP 

To  the  Same. 
"  My  dear  Lizzy, 

"  I  have  kept  the  book  longer  than  I  intend- 
ed, but  I  hope  you  have  not  needed  it.  I  am 
sitting  by  the  open  window,  and  I  can  look 
out  on  quite  a  large  and  pretty  yard  before  it. 
The  air  is  cool  and  delightful;  the  sun  is  just 
shedding  his  departing  rays  on  the  opposite 
buildings;  and  I  cannot  help  raising  my  heart 
up  to  God  in  gratitude  for  his  many  mercies. 
Oh!  Lizzy,  there  are  times  when  I  surrender 
myself  entirely  to  Jesus;  when,  placing  my 
all  in  his  hands,  and  accepting  him  as  my  all- 
atoning  Saviour,  I  can  say — ( my  Lord  and 
my  God.'  No  doubt  you  have  often  felt  so ; 
and  was  it  not — next  to  the  time  when  you 
first  believed  yourself  a  child  of  God — the 
happiest  moment  of  your  life?  Do  you  not 
love  at  the  close  of  the  day  to  verify  that 
most  beautiful  hymn,  the  first  stanza  of  which 
is— 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  83 

"  CI  love  to  steal  awhile  away 
From  every  cumbering  care; 
And  spend  the  hours  of  setting  day. 
In  humble  melting  prayer.' 

"A  Christian  indeed  must  have  written  that 
sweet  hymn;  and  none  but  a  Christian  can 
feel  its  whole  touching  import.  There  is 
something  very  delightful  in  going  to  God 
with  freedom,  and  telling  him  all  our  sorrows 
and  trials — in  casting  all  our  care  on  him 
who  careth  for  us.  These  are  moments  of 
almost  too  much  joy;  but  how  soon,  how  very 
soon  do  they  often  pass  away,  and  leave  us  to 
mourn  over  that  sin  which  estranges  us  from 
our  God.  Yet  while  we  mourn  sincerely  for 
our  guilt,  surely  it  is  a  test  of  our  religion. 
I  could  not  write  in  this  manner  to  you,  but 
that  I  think  you  can  sympathize  with  me. 
That  chapter  is  very  precious.*  Trials  and 
temptations  await  me,  I  know;  and  to  whom 

*  One  to  which  her  friend  had  probably  referred  in  her 

note. 


84  MEMOIR  OP 

but  Christ  can  I  go  then?  Lizzy,  answer  me 
one  question — a  question  of  deep  importance 
to  me — one  of  such  moment  that  I  feel  op- 
pressed when  I  think  of  it.  You  have  seen 
me  this  winter;  you  know,  at  least  you  have 
seen  my  imperfections;  and  do  you  think  I 
ought  to  join  the   church?      Please  answer 

me  soon,  Libby. 

Affectionately, 

Martha." 

"  The  following  note  was  written  by  her  at 
a  time  when  there  was  a  little  persecution  in 
the  school.  I  think  it  speaks  a  Christian's 
heart;  and  it  is  my  firm  belief  that  Martha 
was  a  Christian,  and  is  now  happy  in  heaven. 

Elizabeth  D." 

"  My  dear  Libby, 

I  have  but  a  word  to  say,  for  time  is  short. 
You  know  that  Christians  are  often  reproached 
on  account  of  their  religion.  '  Blessed  are  ye 
when  all  men  shall  speak  evil  of  you  falsely 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  85 

for  my  sake,'  is  a  comforting  passage.  Look 
to  Jesus  in  this  trial;  and  if  you  think  you 
have  done  entirely  right,  you  will  be  satisfied. 
I  would  take  no  notice  of  those  girls  who 
taunt  you.  Bear  and  forbear  is  a  precious 
motto.     0  that /could  practise  it. 

Your  sympathizing  friend, 

Martha." 

To  Miss  E.  D. 

"  Mr  DEAR  LlBBY, 

I  was  very  glad  to  get  your  note;  and  hope, 
with  you,  that  a  kind  Providence  ordered  for 
your  good  what  has  passed.  God  does  all 
things  Well;  and  if  in  every  trying  dispensa- 
tion, we  recognised  his  hand,  would  it  not 
make  us  patient  and  humble?  '  Before  I  was 
afflicted  I  went  astray,  but  now  have  I  kept 
thy  word,'  is  language  not  confined  to  the 
sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel.  Besides,  affliction 
is  a  proof  of  God's  affection.  He  '  chasteneth 
every  son  whom  he  receiveth.'  I  did  sym- 
pathize with  you,  dear  E.:  I  know  you  can- 
8 


S6  MEMOIR  OF 

not  very  well  conceal  your  feelings,  and  I  saw 
that  any  taunts  would  hurt  you  very  much. 
But  now,  it  is  all  over;  and  I  do  hope  it  has 
not  been  in  vain  for  any  of  us. 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

Martha." 

The  following  notes  were  written  in  the 
same  manner,  and  during  the  same  period  to 
Miss  Louisa  B.,  another  of  her  schoolmates. 
The  notes  of  Miss  B.,  to  which  these  are  re- 
plies, except  one,  have  not  been  found;  but 
the  import  of  them  can  be  inferred  from  the 
language  of  these. 

To  Miss  L.  B. 
"No,  my  dear  Louisa,  I  am  not  a. profess- 
ing Christian;  but  I  hope  I  am  one  in  heart, 
and  may  be  one  soon  by  profession.  Your 
question  was  not  regarded  as  impertinent.  I 
was  not  aware  that  you  were  a  member  of  the 

church. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  87 

To  the  Same. 

"  My  dear  Louisa, 

Nothing  could  have  given  me  more  plea- 
sure, than  the  opportunity  of  writing  to  you 
a  note  on  so  interesting  a  subject.  As  I  know 
your  time  is  very  much  occupied,  I  will  send 
this  first,  in  hopes  of  a  speedy  answer.  For 
four  years  this  spring,  I  have  been  the  sub- 
ject of  serious  impressions.  I  have  not  inten- 
tionally resisted  them.  On  the  contrary  I 
have  always  felt  willing  to  become  a  Chris- 
tian—not only  willing,  but  anxious.  At  one 
time  I  was  on  the  eve  of  connecting  myself 
with  the  church ;  but  unforeseen  circumstances 
prevented  me.  I  do  not  know  but  it  was  for 
the  best.  Sometimes  I  have  felt  as  though 
my  heart  were  so  hard  that  I  could  not  be  a 
Christian.  Then,  again,  I  have  been  willing 
to  give  up  every  thing,  and  would  melt  into 
tears  at  the  thought  of  my  Saviour  dying  for 
me.  Thus  I  have  continued  vacillating  be- 
tween two  opinions: — and  now  the  solemn 


88  MEMOIR  OP 

question  is,  am  I  a  Christian?  I  have  given 
myself  to  Christ;  but  often  have  I  vowed  and 
not  paid,  and  Oh!  my  unbelief — I  fear  that  is 
the  grand  obstacle.  In  short,  I  know  how 
often  Christ  has  invited  me  to  come;  and 
though  every  day  on  my  bended  knees  I  im- 
plore his  Holy  Spirit  and  plead  his  promises, 
I  do  not  love  him  as  I  ought.  I  do  not  hate 
sin  as  I  ought.  Oh!  the  sinfulness,  the  hard- 
ness of  my  heart.  I  can  cry  out,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  inspiration,  ( How  long,  0  Lord! 
how  long?'  Pray  for  me  that  I  may  be  led 
in  the  right  way,  and  at  last  saved  through 
the  merits  of  Christ.  Do  you  think  under 
such  circumstances  I  ought  to  join  the  church? 
Of  course  no  one,  not  even  A.,  will  see  these 

notes. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 

In  her  reply  to  this  note  her  friend  says, 
"  I  feel  utterly  incompetent  to  advise  you. 
If  you  should  not  be  so  happy,  nor  make  the 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  89 

progress  you  desire,  do  not  be  discouraged, 
but  persevere  in  your  determination  to  serve 
the  Lord.  Examine  yourself  and  see  if  you 
have  truly  repented  of  sin,  and  are  indeed  de- 
sirous to  lead  a  new  life.  But,  Martha,  you 
must  not  look  to  yourself  for  encouragement; 
for  you  will  daily  become  sensible  of  your 
own  weakness.  But  look  to  Jesus.  He  has 
said,  '  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.'  Have 
you  made  known  your  feelings  to  any  one? 
I  think  you  should  consult  a  suitable  adviser. 
If  you  feel  that  you  are  a  Christian,  it  is  un- 
doubtedly your  duty  to  confess  your  Saviour 
before  men,  as  he  has  commanded.  That 
you  may  be  enabled  to  live  a  life  of  faith,  and 
at  last  be  received  by  Christ  into  his  kingdom, 

prays  your  sincere  friend. 

Louisa." 

"  My  dear  Louisa, 

I  was  very  glad  to  receive  an  answer  to 
your  note  so  soon;  especially  as  you  have  so 
little  time.     I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you 


90  MEMOIR  OF 

for  it.  I  know  all  the  promises  you  repeated 
to  me;  and  as  I  told  you,  it  is  my  unbelief 
that  prevents  me  from  receiving  them.  I  do 
not  mean  that  I  do  not  believe  they  are  true. 
No,  far  from  it.  I  know  they  are  true;  but 
I  do  not  derive  suitable  benefit  from  them  as 
yet.  God,  I  tremblingly  hope,  has  begun  a 
good  work  in  me;  but  how  am  I  to  be  sure  it 
is  not  a  delusion  of  Satan.  You  say  that  you 
are  not  competent  to  advise  me,  and  that  1 
ought  to  consult  one  who  is.  But  I  have  a 
strange  reluctance  to  speak  to  any  such  per- 
son. Mr.  Helm,  our  pastor  at  Salem,  has 
often  spoken  to  me  on  the  subject,  and  asked 
me  to  tell  him  my  feelings.  But  I  could  not 
do  so:  it  was  an  impossibility.  I  have  tried 
to  speak,  but  it  seemed  as  though  I  had  not 
the  power.  I  can  write  about  my  feelings; 
but  when  I  attempt  to  tell  them  to  any  one 
whom  I  feel  to  be  so  much  superior  to  me  as 
he  is,  I  am  so  agitated  as  to  render  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  proceed.     I  tell  you  all  this 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  91 

in  confidence,  Louisa;  for  I  feel  it  is  better 
for  me  to  tell  some  one,  and  as  you  are  the 
only  one  of  my  Christian  companions  that 
ever  spoke  to  me  on  the  subject,  I  do  not 
know  but  it  is  well  for  me  to  do  it.  Can  a 
person  be  a  Christian  and  do  as  I  sometimes 
do  ?  I  will  explain  myself.  At  times,  when 
I  rise  in  the  morning,  I  feel  no  inclination  to 
pray.  I  think  1  have  no  time.  I  will  do  it, 
I  say,  after  awhile.  School  time  arrives,  and 
I  have  not  yet  sought  my  God.  Yet  I  do  not 
feel  the  compunction  I  ought.  Sometimes  I 
pray  when  in  this  frame,  but  it  is  not  prayer. 
Then,  at  times,  I  feel  no  inclination  to  go  to 
church  on  week  days  here.  (It  was  not  so 
when  my  pastor  preached.)  It  is  not  often 
this  is  the  case ;  I  wish  I  could  say  never. 
Then  I  sometimes  give  way  to  my  temper; 
and  I  would  give  nothing  for  the  Christianity 
which  does  not  make  one  more  amiable.  I 
do  not  think  I  trust  to  myself.  I  know  I  can 
do  nothing  without  God.     But  every  day  1 


92  MEMOIR  OP 

become  more  sensible  of  my  sinfulness,  and 

I  cannot  tell  what  to  do.     God,  I  know,  can 

make  my  heart  new,  and  I  hope  and  trust  he 

will.     I  will  pray,  and  watch,  and  hope  that 

I  may  be  enabled  to  become  a  Christian.     Do 

not  let  any  one  see  this,  and  answer  me  as 

soon  as  possible. 

Martha." 

"  My  dear  Louisa, 

I  intended  to  write  to  you  to-day,  before  I 
received  your  note;  and  I  suppose  it  will  not 
be  less  acceptable  for  coming  so  soon  after 
yours.  As  I  know  you  are  occupied,  and 
often  unable  to  find  time  for  writing,  I  intend 
never  to  wait.  I  am  not  so  unhappy  as  I 
was.  I  trust  1  have  given  myself  entirely  to 
God;  and  I  believe  that  Jesus  is  not  only  able 
but  willing  to  save  me.  There  surely  can 
be  no  presumption  in  taking  him  at  his  word. 
He  says,  «  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out.'     He  died  for  sinners: 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  93 

he  offers  to  save  them.  I  am  a  sinner;  he 
died  to  save  me.  He  offers  me  salvation;  I 
am  willing  to  receive  it;  I  embrace  him  with 
my  whole  heart;  I  surrender  every  thing  to 
him  with  the  full  persuasion  that  as  he  has 
promised  so  he  will  perform.  I  doubt  not  he 
has  received  me.  As  far  as  I  know  my  own 
heart,  I  am  devoted  to  him,  willing  to  die  for 
him,  if  need  be.  I  feel  my  unworthiness 
deeply;  but  his  righteousness  overbalances  it. 
I  have  stated  my  feelings  to  you:  am  1  right? 
As  to  making  known  my  feelings  to  my  pas- 
tor, I  shall  do  so  when  I  join  the  church; 
which  I  feel  it  is  my  duty  to  do.  I  am  sin- 
cerely obliged  to  you  for  your  interest  in  me. 
I  have  read  "the  Anxious  Inquirer,"  and 
trust  it  was  a  valuable  guide  to  me.     Write 

soon. 

Martha." 

"  My  Dear  Louisa, 

I  was  just  on  the  point  of  writing  to  you  to 
ask  whether  you  had  given  up  writing  to  me, 


94  MEMOIR  OP 

when  I  received  your  note.  I  hope  that  I 
shall  persevere  in  well-doing.  I  know  that 
of  myself  I  can  do  nothing;  but  Christ's 
strength  is  perfect  in  my  weakness.  I  am 
not  so  happy  as  I  expected  to  be ;  for  I  find 
within  me  much  sin,  and  I  have  continually 
to  fight  against  my  indwelling  corruption. 
Although  often  my  heart  would  persuade  me 
not  to  pray,  and  though  Satan  insinuates  I  am 
not  a  Christian,  still  while  I  feel  myself  walk- 
ing quite  another  way,  new  desires,  new  af- 
fections, love  for  things  I  once  hated,  an  over- 
whelming sense  of  sin  and  hatred  of  it,  and 
love  for  Christ;  can  1  doubt  that  the  grace  of 
God  has  renewed  my  heart?  I  am  endeavour- 
ing to  do  right,  and  hope  that  I  may  have  a 
part  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  I  cannot  but 
think  that  God  has  forgiven  my  sins  ;  it  would 
be  charging  him  with  deception  not  to  believe 
his  promises.    Good  bye,  dear  Louisa.    Write 

soon. 

Martha." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  95 

"  Really,  dear  L.,  I  have  been  too  negli- 
gent, not  to  have  answered  your  kind  note 
before.  But  believe  me,  it  was  not  wilful. 
I  have  not  had  time ;  and  even  now  I  might 
be  studying  my  history  lesson.  I  hope  and 
trust  I  am  doing  as  far  right,  as  my  poor  sin- 
ful heart  allows  me.  I  do  believe  Christ  is 
my  Saviour,  and  can  say  with  Thomas,  '  My 
Lord,  and  my  God.'  Good  bye,  Louisa.  An- 
swer my  necessarily  short  note  by  a  long  one 
very  soon. 

MARfHA." 

"  My  dear  Louisa, 

"I  have  not  forgotten  to  write  to  you; 
but  my  time  is  so  occupied  that  I  can  only 
spare  a  minute  now  and  then.  You  are  very 
kind  to  take  so  much  interest  in  me;  but  I 
think  I  can  sympathize  in  your  earnest  desire 
to  have  all  your  friends  Christians.  It  is  the 
great  thing.  God  alone  knows  how  anxiously 
I  wish  that  my  companions  could  sympathize 
with  me;  and  how  often  I  have  longed  to  find 


96  MEMOIR  OP 

some  one  who  felt  as  I  feel.  I  fear  that  time 
is  far  distant.  I  do  not  believe  any  one  was 
ever  so  sinful  as  I  am.  There  may  have  been 
such;  but  they  cannot  have  felt  that  almost 
utter  hopelessness  which  sometimes  depresses 
me.  0  what  would  I  not  have  given,  had  I 
possessed  a  friend  to  whom  I  might  have 
told  my  sorrow.  I  forget  that  I  have  a  Friend 
— a  Friend  who  has  commanded  us  to  tell  him 
every  thing;  and  now  that  I  have  found  him 
I  can  rejoice.  But  I  am  often  prone  to  fear 
I  am  not  a  Christian.  I  know  I  am  not  such 
as  I  ought  to  be.  But  I  have  felt  my  need  of 
a  Saviour,  and  so  longed  for  him,  that  now, 
although  vile  and  sinful,  I  cannot  relinquish 
the  hope  that  Christ  is  indeed  my  Saviour. 
Your  friend, 

Martha." 

"  My  dear  Louisa, — 

I  do  not  suppose  I  can  long  have  the 
pleasure  of  writing  to  you.     The  holydays 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  97 

are  fast  approaching,  and  then,  you  know,  I 
am  going  home,  and  perhaps  1  may  never  see 
you  again.    I  have  all  your  notes;  and  it  will 
be  very  pleasant  to  read  them  over  and  think 
of  my    school    days   in    Philadelphia.     The 
other  day  Mr.  Adams,  a  minister  who  stayed 
at  my  uncle's  during  the  General  Assembly, 
gave  me  Hodge's  '  Way  of  Life,'  and   inside 
was  a  little  note,  which  you  may  read  if  you 
would  like  to  do  so.    Did  you  tell  Miss  Strong 
about  my  interest  in  religion?     She  said  she 
had  heard  it;  but  did  not  tell  me  from  whom. 
I  could  not  think  of  any  one  but  you;  but 
perhaps  more  know  it  than  I  thought.     I  feel 
a  little  sorrowful  that  I  am  going  to  leave  you 
all  so  soon;  but  I   dislike  to  be  away  from 
home    too  much    to    come    back    next  year. 
And  now,  dear  Louisa,  I  wish  to  consult  you 
about  my  joining  the  church.     Do  you  think 
I  ought  to  join  it  when  I  go  home  ;  or  should 
I  wait  longer?    Do  you  observe  any  change  in 
me?     Do  you  suppose  any  one  would  think 
9 


98  MEMOIR  OF 

me  to  be  governed  by  the  high  and  holy  mo- 
tives of  love  to  God,  and  love  to  man  ?  I 
feel  my  constant  sinfulness,  my  great  prone- 
ness  to  do  wrong;  but  Christ  is  an  all-suffi- 
cient and  an  ever-present  Saviour.  Are  you 
not  tired  of  me?  Answer  soon. 
Your  friend, 

Martha." 


CHAPTER  V. 


'  There  is  a  magic  in  the  name  of  home, 

A  charm  which  even  the  callous  bosom  knows, 

And  Oh!  when  from  its  precincts  dear  we  roam, 
How  brightly  each  loved  scene  in  memory  glows.' 


"  A  home — that  paradise  below, 
Of  sunshine  and  of  flowers, 
Where  hallowed  joys  perennial  flow, 
By  calm,  sequestered  bowers." 


The  reader  has  already  seen  the  strength 
of  Martha's  home  feelings.  She  loved  her 
friends,  her  teachers,  and  her  studies  :  but  her 
heart  turned  with  constant  longings  to  her 


100  MEMOIR  OF 

'own  country  home.'  There  were  her  pa- 
rents and  their  other  children.  Her  church, 
her  Sunday  school,  her  pastor  were  there ; 
and  there  was  her  heart  also.  It  was  there- 
fore with  almost  an  ecstasy  of  delight,  that  on 
the  last  day  of  June,  she  returned  to  the 
bosom  of  her  family,  and  to  the  scenes  she 
loved  so  well.  Owing  to  the  state  of  her 
mother's  health,  it  became  necessary  for  her 
to  assume  part  of  the  cares  of  the  family ; 
and  by  this  means  a  considerable  portion  of 
her  time  was  occupied  in  domestic  duties 
during  the  summer  and  autumn.  On  this  ac- 
count a  long  interruption  occurred  in  her 
journal,  and  for  two  or  three  months  her  let- 
ters to  her  friends  were  sparing.  She  still 
maintained  her  correspondence  with  her  early 
school  mate. 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

"Salem,  August  1,  1846. 
.  .   .  .  "  How    true    is   the   adage,  '  every 
year  flies  faster;'  and  Oh  !  how  important  it 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  101 

is,  that  we  should  improve  the  little  period 
that  is  left,  and  fit  ourselves  for  a  holier  and 
happier  existence.  I  am  sorry,  very  sorry, 
you  imagine  you  cannot  give  up  novel-reading. 
You  can,  my  dear  Mary,  and  you  must. 
Some  time  you  will  have  to  do  so.  You  can- 
not carry  novels  to  the  grave ;  and  in  the  un- 
tried world,  the  long  eternity  to  which  we 
are  hastening,  there  are  no  sensual  pleasures, 
Think  on  these  things.  Place  before  you  the 
good  and  the  evil,  and  choose  speedily  to  re- 
nounce a  right  eye  or  a  right  hand  sin,  rather 
than  spend  your  life  in  the  paltry  gratification 
of  novel-reading,  and  in  treasuring  up  wrath 
against  the  day  of  wrath. 

"  Forgive  my  speaking  so  plainly,  and  do 
not  think  I  mean  to  dictate.  You  are  not 
happy,  because  you  are  not  holy.  Perfect 
happiness  is  not  our  lot  here  below.  In  this 
vale  of  tears,  sorrow  and  trouble  must  come, 
and  only  in  heaven  can  we  be  perfectly 
blessed.  There,  no  suffering,  no  parting,  no 
9* 


102  MEMOIR  OF 

tears  disturb  its  inhabitants ;  but  in  the  light 

of  the  Lord,  the  Lamb,  they  find  that  peace 

which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take 

away. 

Martha." 

The  following  notices  will  show  how  reli- 
gion mingled  in  her  views  and  feelings  with 
every  tie  and  incident. 

"September  6,  1846. — Since  I  last  wrote, 
(in  her  journal,)  a  sweet  little  brother  has 
come  to  gladden  us.  How  fervently  ought 
we  to  pray  that  God  would  early  call  the 
sweet  bud  to  partake  of  the  blessings  of  his 
salvation,  and  shed  the  graces  of  his  Spirit  on 
his  tender  heart.  Oh!  that  he  may  become, 
indeed,  an  heir  of  the  promises." 

"September  7, 1846.  On  Friday,  Mr.  Helm 
returned  from  Newport,  his  health  extremely 
delicate.  He  has  an  internal  tumour  in  his 
side  which,  father  thinks,  arises  from  seden- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  103 

iary  habits.  I  am  afraid  we  shall  not  have 
him  long ;  but  I  will  hope  for  the  best.  My 
beloved  pastor,  my  kind  spiritual  father,  how 
can  I  thank  him  enough  for  all  his  kindness  ! 
Yesterday  morning  he  preached,  but  the  heat 
was  enough  to  overcome  any  one  in  health. 
Last  evening  he  spoke  impressively  of  the 
wrath  of  God  now  abiding  on  the  impenitent 
sinner.  Oh !  how  carefully  should  we  exa- 
mine ourselves  that  we  may  be  sure  to  escape 
that  anger!  Does  it  rest  on  my  head?  I 
trust  the  righteousness  of  Christ  has  dispelled 
the  cloud,  and  now  I  am  cheered  by  the  smiles 
of  a  reconciled  God.  .  .  Mary  I.  is  in  a  dread- 
ful state  of  mind.  What  am  I  to  do  ?  I  can 
pray — and  pray  for  her  I  must.  When  shall 
/  be  more  like  Christ  ?  Lately  I  have  en- 
joyed more  peace,  and,  I  trust,  know  some 
little  of  that  joy  which  is  unspeakable.  But 
all  my  desires  are  cold  and  languid  ;  and  i 
long  to  reach  that  blessed  rest  which  remains 
for  the  people  of  God.     There  in  the  blaze  of 


104  MEMOIR  OP 

eternal  day,  where  every  one  is  holy  and  hap- 
py, and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  and  the  glory: 
in  that  heaven  I  shall  be  happy  in  tuning  my 
voice  to  the  new  song,  and  in  striking  my 
harp  to  the  praise  of  Him  that  was  slain. 

"lama  Sunday  School  teacher,  and  I  feel 
deeply — but  not  near  enough — the  solemn  re- 
sponsibility which  rests  on  me.  May  I  be 
enabled  to  discharge  faithfully  the  duties  of 
my  office  ! 

"A  solemn  question  is — ought  I  to  com- 
mune ?  I  would  join  the  church,  but  I  am 
still  so  sinful  that  I  fear  my  friends  would  not 
be  willing.  Yet  God,  who  knows  my  heart, 
knows  that  my  whole  soul  is  in  religion,  and 
that  I  do  desire  to  live  for  Him,  and  Him 
only.     'Lord,  decide  the  doubtful  case.' 

"Sept.  13,  1846. — I  have  felt,  for  some  time 
past,  a  desire  to  tell  Mr.  Helm  what  I  felt,  and 
Saturday  evening  I  wrote  to  him  stating  how 
earnestly  I  desire  to  serve  the  Lord,  how  un- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  105 

worthy  and  sinful  I  felt  myself,  and  asked  his 
advice  as  to  joining  the  church.  I  gave  it 
to  Mrs.  H.  on  Sunday  morning,  and  very 
kindly  he  answered  it  right  away,  so  that  I 
received  a  long  answer  from  him  in  the  eve- 
ning." 

The  following  is  the  letter  to  which  allu- 
sion is  made  above: 

"My  dear  Pastor, 

I  have  made  many  ineffectual  attempts  to 
speak  to  you  of  the  state  of  my  mind;  but  I 
find  it  entirely  impossible  to  converse  about 
my  own  feelings.  To  you,  of  all  others,  I 
desire  to  make  them  known ;  for  I  have  had 
sufficient  reason  to  think  you  are  interested 
for  my  eternal  welfare.  I  take  the  liberty  of 
\friting  to  you  that  which  I  can  never  find 
confidence  to  say.  I  do  not  remember  having 
resisted  the  influences  of  the  Spirit  at  all ;  but 
have  always  felt  anxious  to  become  a  Chris- 
tian.    That  Sunday  night  you  conversed  with 


106  MEMOIR  OF 

me  and  urged  me  to  go,  just  as  I  was,  to  a 
merciful  Saviour,  saying,  "Lord,  if  thou  wilt, 
thou  canst  make  me  clean,"  I  endeavoured  to 
do  so.  I  gave  myself  entirely  to  the  Saviour. 
I  renounced  every  thing  worldly,  and  conse- 
crated every  thing  to  God. 

When  I  think  how  often  I  have  broken  that 
solemn  vow,  how  feebly  I  have  tried  to  live 
as  a  Christian,  I  almost  despair,  and  am  afraid 
no  one  would  think  I  had  set  out  in  the  f  way 
of  life.'  But  I  do  love  the  Saviour:  I  am 
anxious  to  renounce  every  thing  and  follow 
Him. 

I  need  advice,  and  feel  that  you  are  willing 
to  give  it.  I  cannot  thank  you  enough  for 
your  kindness  to  me;  neither  can  I  tell  you 
how  gratefully  and  affectionately  I  always 
think  of  you.  Do  you  think  I  ought  to  join 
the  church?  I  have  felt  my  unworthiness  al- 
most too  much  to  think  of  it;  but  I  do  long 
to  commune  with  you,  and  I  feel  that  the  or- 
dinance was  instituted  for  such  as  I.     Often  I 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  107 

do  very  wrong  things,  which  I  wonder  at. 
This  discourages  me.  Do  advise  me.  Will 
you  forgive  my  silence  when  you  have  spoken 
to  me  on  this  subject?  Indeed  it  was  not  un- 
willingness to  tell  you  all,  but  my  feelings  al- 
ways overpowered  me  too  much  to  answer 
you.     May  I  ask  your  prayers? 

Martha." 

Seeing  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  work  in 
her  heart  was  of  God's  Spirit,  I  sought  to  ob- 
viate her  difficulties,  and  to  encourage  her  in 
the  step  she  had  so  much  at  heart.  Of  this, 
she  speaks  in  her  journal  as  follows: 

"My  pastor  says  he  thinks  I  am  entitled  to 
the  privilege.  ...  I  do  feel  my  sinful- 
ness. But  I  have  given  myself  to  the  Saviour; 
I  do  love  Him ;  I  am  determined  to  live  for 
Him,  and  Him  only.  Perhaps  it  may  be  bet- 
ter to  wait;  but  I  long  to  commune.  I  have 
waited  already,  but  my  anxious  inquiry  is,  will 
I  succeed  by  longer  delay?    Am  I  a  Christian, 


10S  MEMOIR  OF 

or  am  I  not?  I  cannot  doubt  the  mercy  of 
GocU  'My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee/  is  the 
promise. 

'Oh !  that  I  had  a  stronger  faith. 
To  look  beyond  the  vale ; 
To  credit  what  my  Saviour  saith, 
Whose  word  can  never  faii.'" 

Oct.  1,  1S45. — She  writes  to  her  friend. 
Miss  M.  I.,  as  follows : 

•'You  must  know  that  since  my  last  letter, 
we  have  had  a  dear  little  brother  added  to  our 
family  circle;  and  the  duties  which  such  a 
pleasant  event  never  fail  to  bring  with  it,  have 
confined  me  very  much.  I  laughingly  say 
that  he  was  my  birth-day  present,  for  he  was 
born  on  the  morning  of  my  sixteenth  year. 
How  I  wish  you  could  see  him.  /  think  he 
is  prett}7;  but  a  fond  sister  cannot  see  impar- 
tially, and  from  all  I  can  learn  of  other  babies, 
his  appearance  is  not  at  all  uncommon.  But 
I  do  think  his  eyes  are  beautiful.     They  are 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  109 

'  deeply,  darkly,  beautifully  blue/  the  perfect 
azure  of  a  clear  summer  sky;  and  they  look 
at  you  so  cunningly,  that  you  fairly  love  him 
for  their  sakes.  Now  you  may  consider  your- 
self flattered  that  I  have  talked  so  much  about 
him,  for  I  take  it  for  granted  you  are  inte- 
rested in  all  my  affairs.  Are  you  not,  dear 
Mary?  I  can  imagine  your  silent  assent.  I 
will  carry  the  question  farther,  and  ask,  will 
you  please  to  be  interested  in  all  I  am  going 
to  say,  and  weigh  it  carefully  before  you  throw 
it  aside,  perhaps,  for  ever? 

"You  ask  me  about  dancing;  and  perhaps 
you  will  think  me  too  strict  when  I  tell  you, 
that  as  a  Christian,  I  cannot  approve  of  it. 
It  is  perfectlyvconsistent  with  the  character 
and  aims  of  those  who  profess  to  live  only 
for  this  world.  But  for  those  who,  having 
*  cast  away  the  works  of  darkness/  are  press- 
ing forward  '  to  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the 
high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus/  to  coun- 
tenance and  enjoy  it,  is  wrong,  decidedly 
10 


110  MEMOIR  OF 

wrong.  I  do  not  speak  of  the  6  charm  of  so 
light  and  graceful  an  amusement.*  I  suppose, 
in  itself  considered,  and  as  an  exercise,  there 
is  probably  no  harm  in  it.  But  could  a  Chris- 
tian go  from  prayer  to  a  dance?  Or  could  he 
return  from  it  and  with  a  peaceful  and  happy 
heart,  bow  before  Him  who  is  of  pure  eyes, 
and  cannot  look  upon  sin  but  with  abhorrence? 
Ah!  my  Mary,  think  of  it  in  this  light.  Do 
not  parley  at  the  positive  amount  of  harm  it 
contains.  But  reflect  upon  the  high  calling  of 
a  Christian.  Think  of  the  glorious  home  to 
which  he  is  hastening,  and  for  which  he  is 
preparing;  of  the  Saviour,  the  saints  and  an- 
gels with  whom  he  is  to  live  eternally;  and 
answer  me  conscientiously,  does  this  amuse- 
ment advance  him  one  step  in  his  life  of  pre- 
paration ?  Does  it  make  him  any  more  meet 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven?  Does  it  not  ra- 
ther lead  him  away  from  God,  and  fix  his  af- 
fections on  this  world?  Oh!  how  anxiously 
do  I  wish  you  to  think  as  I  do!     You  are  not 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  Ill 

happy,  and  it  grieves  me  to  find  it  so.  The 
tears  that  are  in  my  eyes  now,  are  not  the 
first  that  I  have  shed  for  you;  and  the  prayer 
with  which  I  have  written  this  letter,  is  one 
of  a  thousand  of  the  same  character.  Your 
only  happiness  in  novels  and  company!  Oh! 
do,  do  seek  for  a  better  kind.  Go,  I  beseech 
you,  to  your  heavenly  Father;  confess  your 
sins:  say,  < Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make 
me  clean.'  Give  him  your  whole  heart:  re- 
nounce every  sin,  taking  up  every  duty :  so- 
lemnly dedicate  yourself  to  God,  and  Oh! 
may  the  God  of  grace  help  you  to  keep  his 
laws!  The  Saviour  is  waiting  to  be  gracious. 
Can  you,  will  you, refuse  to  accept  his  proffered 
mercy?  I  am  distressed  for  you.  Do,  Oh! 
please  do,  give  yourself  to  the  Saviour.  My 
time  will  not  permit  me  to  write  longer;  but 
if  you  will  only  do  this,  you  will  experience 
that  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding. 
God  bless  you,  my  dear  Mary — God  in  his 
mercy  bless  you. 


112  MEMOIR  OF 

"  P.  S.— Oct.  2.  The  synod  of  New  Jersey 
will  meet  at  Trenton  on  the  20th  of  this 
month.  Mr.  Helm  is  going,  and  would  will- 
ingly take  charge  of  me  if  I  could  go.  It 
would  be  very  delightful,  for  then  I  could  get 
to  see  you.  But  father  and  mother  do  not 
seem  willing,  and  I  must  relinquish  the 
thought.  It  is  a  disappointment,  but  then  it 
is  all  for  the  best.  Is  it  not  sweet  to  feel  that 
your  heavenly  Father  is  making  every  thing 
work  together  for  good  ?  Then  indeed  you 
can  bow  submissively  to  his  will,  and  give  up 
every  thing  to  his  disposal.  We  must  expect 
trials  here,  and  how  happy  we  are  if  we  can 
say, 

{ JTis  my  happiness  below, 

Not  to  live  without  the  cross, 
But  the  Saviour's  power  to  know 
Sanctifying  every  loss? 

"I  wish  you  knew  Mr.  Helm;  he  is  so  good, 
so  kind,  so  gentle.  I  am  sure  if  he  was  my 
father,  I  could  not  love  him  more.     If  you 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  113 

could  have  seen  his  benevolent  eye,  and  heard 
the  sweet  tones  of  his  voice  when  he  con- 
versed with  me  about  religion,  and  if  you 
could  see  him  in  the  pulpit  and  listen  to  him 
preaching,  you  would  love  him  too.  He  has 
been  very  kind  to  me;  and  I  do  not  believe  1 
could  have  been  what  I  am,  had  it  not  been 
for  his  influence.  I  have  much,  very  much 
to  tell  you,  if  I  could  only  see  you.  Write 
soon,  dearest  Mary,  without  waiting  the 
whole  month;  and  do  tell  me  that  you  are 
differently  occupied.  Be  happy,  dear  Mary  ; 
you  can,  and  I  fondly  hope  you  will. 

Martha." 

"October  3. — This  afternoon  I  attended  the 
preparatory  lecture  before  the  communion. 
Mr.  Helm  preached  from  the  text,  6  Sanctify 
yourselves,  for  to-morrow  the  Lord  will  do 
wonders  among  you/  He  said  it  was  not 
the  mere  verbal  application  of  the  words  to 
the  occasion,  that  had  induced  him  to  select 
10* 


114  MEMOIR  OP 

this  text.  It  involved  this  general  principle, 
that  when  we  desire  and  expect  special  mani- 
festations of  divine  grace  to  our  souls,  we 
should  be  in  a  suitable  posture  to  obtain  and 
receive  the  blessing.  0 !  that  the  Lord  would 
pour  his  Spirit  upon  us  here,  and  bless  our 
pastor's  labours!  Mr.  H.  lent  me  "  Russell's 
Letters,"  which  I  find  very  interesting.  May 
they  prove  useful  to  me.  I  think,  on  the 
whole,  I  live  nearer  to  God  than  usual.  I  find 
it  very  comforting  to  commit  every  thing 
into  his  hands,  and  trust  his  grace  completely. 
"  On  last  Sunday  Barbara  was  removed  to 
Miss  H.  Hancock's  class.  I  hope  the  change 
may  be  useful.  It  was  a  trial  to  part  with 
my  best  scholar,  but  I  was  enabled  to  acqui- 
esce. I  have  now .  She  is  rather  vola- 
tile, but  I  hope  she  may  be  benefited.     

is  an  interesting  little  girl.     I  trust  the  Sa- 
viour will  call  her  by  his  grace.    is  very 

backward.     I  must  endeavour  to  instruct  her 
faithfully.     and appear  to  be  nice 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  115 

children!  0  that  they  may  all  give  their 
hearts  to  God  !  Blessed  Saviour,  fit  me  for 
my  duty,  and  enable  me  to  perform  it  aright. 

"  The  steamer  Great  Western  encountered 
a  terrible  storm  on  her  last  passage  to  New 
York.  Dr.  Scott,  Mr.  Helm's  friend,  was  on 
board.  The  scene  must  have  been  superla- 
tively awful.  How  agonizing  must  have  been 
the  feelings  of  those  who  were  without  God 
in  the  world,  and  how  painfully  must  they 
have  listened  to  every  boding  sound !  But 
those  who  had  the  blessed  hope  of  life  and  a 
glorious  immortality  beyond  the  grave,  must 
have  felt  then  the  value  of  that  grace  which 
robs  death  of  its  sting. 

"  Oct.  17,  1846.  Contrary  to  my  expecta- 
tions, father  has  given  his  consent  that  I  shall 
go  to  Trenton  with  Mr.  H.,  and  on  Monday 
we  start.  May  the  services  of  Synod  be  use- 
ful to  me;  and  may  I  do  some  good  !  Lord, 
be  with  and  bless  me.  I  may  see  Mary  I. 
Blessed  Saviour,  lead  her  unto  a  perfect  know- 


116  MEMOIR  OF 

ledge  of  thy  will.  I  trust  I  am  making  daily 
progress;  though  to-day  my  thoughts  have 
been  set  too  much  on  things  below.  To- 
morrow is  the  blessed  Sabbath:  I  am  trying 
to  prepare  for  it.  Oh !  that  it  may  be  pleasant 
to  me!  Lord,  forgive  all  my  sins,  and  love 
me  freely  for  thy  mercy  and  thy  truth's  sake." 
According  to  her  desire,  Martha  accompa- 
nied her  pastor  to  Trenton,  and  was  present 
at  the  meeting  of  Synod.  Her  regard  for  the 
ministers  of  Christ,  her  interest  in  all  that 
pertained  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Church,  and 
her  delight  in  religious  exercises,  rendered 
this  visit  peculiarly  gratifying.  She  attended 
even  the  business  sessions  of  the  body  with 
so  much  punctuality,  and  took  so  much  inte- 
rest in  all  its  proceedings,  that  the  friends 
with  whom  she  stayed  pleasantly  rallied  her 
upon  her  zeal.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  she 
says,  "  You  are  perhaps  aware  that  our  Synod 
met  in  Trenton  this  year.  I  went  with  Mr. 
H.,  and  had  a  most  delightful  time.     I  heard 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  117 

Dr.  J.  Addison  Alexander  preach." 

"At  the  late  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  West 
Jersey,  various  committees  of  ministers  were 
appointed  to  visit  the  several  churches  within 
its  jurisdiction,  in  order  to  awaken  some 
religious  interest."  In  her  journal,  "  Nov. 
11,  1846.  Miss  E.  was  here  this  morn- 
ing, and  we  had  a  delightful  conversation. 
She  says  that  Drs.  Chester  and  Van  Rensse- 
laer are  coming _to  endeavour  to  awaken  some 
religious  interest.  Oh!  thou  blessed  Spirit,  do 
thou  work  here:  shed  on  us  thy  transforming 
influence.  I  must  make  it  a  special  object  of 
prayer  that  their  visit  may  be  blessed.  Dear 
Mr.  Helm,  how  I  wish  the  people  would  love 
him  more!  His  body  is  wasting  rapidly.  Oh 
dear,  if  I  could  only  make  them  think  as  I 
do ; — could  make  them  love,  revere,  and  con- 
sult him.  However,  as  long  as  I  live,  I  will 
do  all  I  can  for  him. 

"Nov.   16,   1846.     To-day  the  sun  shone 
once  more.     How  pleasant  again  to  see  his 


118  MEMOIR  OF 

rays  !  May  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise  to 
me  with  ..healing  in  his  wings!  Yesterday 
morning  Mr.  Helm  preached  from  Peter's  de- 
nial— the  Saviour's  look — Peter's  repentance: 
a  truly  affecting  sermon  to  me.  In  the  eve- 
ning he  preached  from  the  text,  Grow  in 
grace.  It  ought  to  occasion  great  heart- 
searchings.  I  trust  I  am  slowly  making  pro- 
gress. 

'Often  I  find  my  sinful  heart, 
Prone  from  my  Saviour  to  depart.' 

But  He  who  called  me  hy  his  grace,  has  still 
made  that  grace  sufficient  for  me.  For  ever 
blessed  be  his  holy  name  !  Let  all  the  people 
say,  Amen." 

To  Miss  M.  I. 

«  Salem,  N.  J.,  December  1,  1846. 

" Last  evening  there  was  a  special 

prayer-meeting  in  the  church,  for  the  descent 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  us,  and  it  was  a  very 
solemn  occasion.      During  the  late  sessions  of 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  119 

our  Presbytery,  Drs.  Chester  and  Van  Rens- 
selaer were  appointed  a  committee  to  visit  us 
and  endeavour  to  awaken  some  religious  in- 
terest here.  They  are  expected  to-day,  and 
to-night  there  will  be  service.  Oh  that  the 
Lord  would  visit  us  and  bless  us.  Pray  for 
us. 

"I  feel  myself  incapable  of  advising  you, 
dear  Mary;  but  are  you  not  unwilling  to  give 
yourself  wholly  to  the  Saviour?  God's  Holy 
Spirit  does  not  generally  influence  the  heart 
very  suddenly :  it  is  usually  a  gradual  thing. 
You  should  not  expect  to  feel  all  at  once — 
every  thing  you  wish.  The  Spirit  of  God  is 
convincing  you  now  of  your  sin.  You  are  a 
great  sinner,  Mary.  You  are  not  in  much 
danger  of  feeling  too  keenly  the  turpitude  of 
your  guilt;  and  the  awful  conviction  of  it 
should  lead  you  with  a  broken  and  contrite 
heart  to  seek  for  mercy  and  forgiveness 
through  the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  That 
peace-speaking  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin, 


120  MEMOIR  OF 

however  aggravated:  and  oh!  my  beloved 
Mary,  trust  in  it  entirely.  You  are  not  re- 
quired to  feel  penitent  and  very  much  inclined 
to  be  pious,  as  a  sort  of  warrant  to  go  to  God. 
Do  not  wait  for  right  feelings.  Go  to  your 
closet, — confess  all  your  sins, — entreat  God 
for  more  contrition  :  throw  yourself  on  his 
mercy,  and  give  up  every  thing  to  him  ;  say, 
'  Lord,  I  am  a  poor  sinner,  hard-hearted,  im- 
penitent; I  can  do  nothing  of  myself:  but  I 
beseech  thee  for  forgiveness  in  the  name  of 
thy  only  begotten  and  well  beloved  Son.'  If 
you  only  believe  in  him  as  you  ought,  you 
will  obtain  that  peace  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding. But  if  you  are  not  willing  to 
give  yourself  to  God,  then  I  can  say  no  more. 
If  you  are  not  willing  to  do  every  thing  in 
your  power  for  Him  who  offered  up  his  life 
on  the  cross  for  you,  you  cannot  share  in  the 
blessings  of  God's  grace.  But  I  cannot  think 
you  are  reluctant  to  do  it.  You  must  make 
sacrifices,  Mary.     The  world  and  its  gayeties 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  121 

are  not  to  be  sought.  Dancing,  which  you 
now  like,  will  not  be  consistent  with  the 
Christian  profession  which,  I  hope,  you  will 
make  some  time.  Now  the  question  is — are 
you  going  to  choose  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints,  the  fellowship  of  God,  the  communion 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  blessed  privileges  and 
glorious  hopes  of  a  Christian ;  or  will  you 
choose  the  ivorld,  with  its  fleeting  enjoyments, 
its  heartless  formalities,  and  at  last  a  never- 
ending  state  of  misery?  God  in  mercy  grant 
that  you  may  be  enabled  to  say,  '  As  for  me, 
I  will  serve  the  Lord.'  You  said  nothing  of 
novels  in  your  last  letter.  Oh!  my  dear  Mary, 
do  give  them  up.  I  want  to  feel  confidence 
in  you,  to  feel  that  you  can  fully  sympathize 
with  me;  and  this  I  cannot  do  if  you  are  go- 
ing to  array  yourself  on  the  side  of  the  world. 
I  would  say  one  thing  more  about  them  [no- 
vels.] If  you  love  them  better  than  heaven, 
do  you  not  fear  hell  ?  There  is  nothing  more 
calculated  to  put  serious  impressions  to  flight, 
11 


122  MEMOIR  OF 

than  novel-reading;  and  I  would  beseech  you, 
by  every  solemn  consideration,  to  read  no 
more  of  them  at  all.  But  time  is  speeding  to 
midnight  and  however  much  I  might  wish  to 
write  longer,  I  must  bid  you  good-bye.  God 
bless  you,  my  own  dear  Mary. 

Martha." 

"Dec.  20,  1846. — I  can  scarcely  think  this 
year  has  so  nearly  gone.     Every  year  flies 
faster.     Moments  pass  almost   unheeded,  and 
soon  days,  and  months,  and  years  will  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  eternity.     This  is  the   Sabbath. 
Mr.  H.  preached  this  morning  from  the  words, 
'Almost  thou  persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian.' 
If  there  are  any  in  our  congregation  who  are 
in  this  state  of  mind,  Oh!  that  they  may  come 
to  an  immediate  decision,  and  choose  the  Lord 
as  their  portion.     This  afternoon,  at  the  Sab- 
bath school,  I  endeavoured  to  press  the  sim- 
plest truths  of  religion  home  to  the  children's 
hearts.     But  they  are  very  young,  and  human 
nature    is    very   depraved.      Yet    surely    my 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  123 

prayers  will  be  answered.  Oh!  what  joy 
would  it  give  me  to  see  them  Christians:  and 
then,  I  hope,  I  could  ascribe  all  the  glory  to 
God. 

"According  to  appointment  of  Presbytery, 
Drs.  Chester  and  Van  Rensselaer  visited  our 
church.  The  sermons  of  Dr.  C.  almost  drove 
me  to  despair;  but  I  have  been  enabled  to 
trust  myself  renewedly  to  the  Saviour.  Dr. 
C.  asked  me  if  I  intended  to  join  the  church 
this  communion.  ...  I  have  thought 
deeply  about  it.  My  sincere  and  earnest 
prayer  is, ( Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to 
do?'  I  have  given  myself  to  God,  and  I  de- 
sire to  live  like  a  Christian.  Sometimes  I 
feel  the  love  of  God  ;  at  other  times  I  almost 
doubt  the  reality  of  my  conversion.  Yet  I 
feel  I  ought  to  obey  the  Saviour's  dying  com- 
mand. I  long  to  be  numbered  among  his 
people;  to  partake  of  his  supper;  and  though 
1  go  forward  with  trembling — almost  distrust- 
ing my  right  to  the  ordinance,  yet  afraid  to 


124  MEMOIR  OP 

neglect  it — still  I  trust  in  the  promised  grace 
of  Jesus  Christ.  I  must  talk  with  my  pastor 
once  more;  and  0!  that  I  may  approach  the 
Lord's  table  aright.  Oh!  the  sinfulness  of  my 
heart!  Will  it  ever  be  cleansed  entirely  from 
its  pollution  ?  This  year  has  been  very  sinful. 
Yet  I  feel  there  has  been  a  manifest  progress. 
Oh !  shall  I  be  able  to  say  the  same,  if  I  live 
till  the  close  of  the  next?  Before  another 
year  has  gone  I  may  be  joining  the  anthems 
of  the  redeemed.  I  may  be  casting  my  crown 
at  the  feet  of  Him  who  has  washed  us  in  his 
own  precious,  priceless  blood,  and  realizing  all 
the  untold  blessedness  and  glory  of  the  heaven- 
ly world. 

"Oh !  glorious  hour.  Oh !  blest  abode, 
I  shall  be  near,  and  like  my  God ; 
And  flesh  and  sin  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  my  soul." 

To  a  cousin  in  Philadelphia,  she  thus  ex- 
presses the  congratulations  of  the  season: 


MARTHA  T.   SHARP.  125 

"A  merry  Christmas  to  you,  my  dear  S.  E., 
unsullied  by  any  disappointment  or  sadness, 
is  a  wish  that  comes  from  the  very  bottom  of 
my  heart.  I  feel  sure  that  you  will  enjoy  this 
universal  season  of  gladness.  But  has  not 
the  past  year  appeared  unusually  short  to  you? 
I  can  scarcely  realize  that  it  is  so  nearly  gone. 
Last  year  I  waited  so  anxiously  for  the  holi- 
days, that  it  seemed  as  if  Christmas  would 
never  come.  Now  it  is  here  before  I  have 
even  thought  of  it.  Do  you  not  remember 
when  a  year  seemed  a  great  while  to  look  for- 
ward to  ?  Now  it  appears  a  very  short  time 
indeed.  Thus  it  is.  Our  life,  from  its  short- 
ness and  vanity,  is  Mike  a  tale  that  is  told.' 
How  important,  then,  that  we  should  prepare 
for  a  better  and  eternal  state  of  existence.  .  .  . 

"  I  find  that  this  letter  cannot  reach  you  be- 
fore Christmas.  I  will,  therefore,  extend  my 
good  wishes.  May  you,  then,  have  a  happy 
New  Year.  May  no  affliction  sadden  it. 
Above  all,  may  you,  this  year,  seek  for  that 
11* 


126  MEMOIR  OP   MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

enduring  treasure  which  cannot  pass  away. 
May  you,  this  year,  seek  and  find  that  Saviour 
who  can  fill  your  heart  with  the  peace  of  God 
which  passeth  all  understanding,  and  enable 
you,  in  all  the  changes  of  this  weary  life,  to 
rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
May  you  give  your  whole  heart  to  Him  to 
whom  it  is  entirely  due ;  and  relinquish  all 
the  vanities  of  this  world  for  the  glorious 
hopes  and  privileges  of  a  Christian.  And 
when  you  are  called  away  from  earth,  may  an 
entrance  be  ministered  unto  you  abundantly 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ." 


CHAPTER  VI 


"  Tis  done,  the  great  transaction's  done, 

I  am  my  Lord's,  and  he  is  mine ; 
He  drew  me,  and  I  followed  on, 

Charmed  to  confess  the  voice  divine. 
High  heaven,  that  hears  my  solemn  vow. 

That  vow  renewed  shall  daily  hear ; 
Till  in  life's  latest  hour  I  bow, 

And  bless  in  death  a  bond  so  dear." 


At  length  the  happy  hour  arrived  which 
had  so  long  been  to  Martha  the  goal  of  her 
aspirations.  She  was  permitted  to  say  pub- 
licly, "  I  am  the  Lord's  ;  to  call  herself  by  the 
name  of  Jacob,  and  to  surname  herself  by  the 
name  of  Israel."  On  the  paper  containing 
her  consecration  of  herself  to  God,  is  found 


128  MEMOIR  OP 

the  following  entry.  "  January  1,  1S47. 
Again  I  am  about  to  testify  my  willingness  to 
live  to  the  Lord.  The  past  year  I  trust  I 
have  felt  more  love  to  Christ  and  enjoyed  re- 
ligion more.  I  have  seen  the  Saviour  full  of 
grace  and  truth,  as  the  chief  among  ten  thou- 
sand and  altogether  lovely  :  and  have  been 
enabled  to  cast  all  my  care  upon  Him.  Next 
Sabbath  I  expect  for  the  first  time  to  com- 
memorate his  dying  love.  Oh  !  that  I  may 
find  him  very  precious,  and  live  the  coming 
year  much  holier  than  I  have  ever  yet  lived. 
I  feel  myself  unworthy,  and  not  Jit  to  com- 
mune, yet  his  grace  is  all-sufficient  and  I 
trust  I  shall  be  supported  by  his  Almighty 
hand.  I  want  to  feel  my  unworthiness  more, 
that  I  may  be  very  humble.  Lord,  I  am 
thine  :  willingly — unreservedly — perpetually 
— only  thine.  <  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but 
thee?  and  there  is  none  on  earth  that  I  de- 
sire beside  thee.' 

Martha." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  129 

Having  been  admitted  by  tbe  Session  of  the 
Church,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  January  she 
made  a  public  profession  of  religion.  Her 
exercises  in  prospect  of  this  important  step 
were  of  a  deeply  solemn  and  earnest  charac- 
ter. Never  has  her  pastor  witnessed  more 
unaffected  sincerity  and  more  trembling  con- 
scientiousness, than  she  manifested  on  this  oc- 
casion. "  In  the  morning  of  the  day  on 
which  she  joined  the  Church,"  says  her  moth- 
er, "  before  it  was  light  I  heard  her  voice  in 
prayer  ;  and  she  continued  her  supplications 
until  I  feared  she  would  take  cold."  It  was 
a  day  of  days  to  her  rejoicing  spirit.  In  her 
journal  she  says, — "  January  3,  1847. — 
This  day  I  professed  my  faith  in  Christ  : 
publicly  gave  myself  to  him:  and  declared 
that  Him  only  would  I  serve.  If  I  know  my 
heart,  it  is  my  earnest  desire  to  devote  every 
thing  to  the  Lord.  I  am  willing,  dear  Sa- 
viour, to  take  up  my  cross  and  follow  thee. 
I  am  very  sinful,  and  know  that  I   can  do 


130  MEMOIR    OF 

nothing  of  myself;  but  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin,  and  on  that 
blood  and  perfect  righteousness  I  place  all  my 

dependence.     Ruth    H ,  Louisa   B , 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H ,  joined  also.     Oh  !  that 

our  names  may  all  be  put  down  in  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life!  As  I  review  the  past,  I  cannot 
but  praise  God.  I  have  often  thought,  surely 
I  shall  one  day  perish ;  but  here  I  am,  God's 
right  hand  upholding  me.  He  has  led  me  by 
a  way  that  I  knew  not,  and  enabled  me  to  re- 
alize bis  constancy  and  kindness.  May  I 
tremble  at  the  bare  thought  of  bringing  re- 
proach on  the  cause  of  Christ.  I  wish  to  live 
a  life  of  holy  circumspection,  that  I  may 
adorn  my  profession.  I  shall  have  many 
things  to  guard  against.  I  must  not  care  for 
the  applause  of  men,  but  my  earnest  desire 
and  effort  must  be  to  be  blameless  before  God. 
So  help  me,  Lord  Jesus,  to  live  only  for  thy 
glory." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  131 

She  refers  to  the  joyful  event  in  a  letter  to 
her  friend  Miss  I. 

"Salem,  N.  J.,  Feb.  1,1847. 
I  am  behind  the  time,  dearest  Mary,  as 
well  as  yourself.  But  I  have  a  very  good  rea- 
son for  my  remissness.  Yesterday  was  the 
holy  Sabbath,  and  of  course  I  could  not  write. 
Do  you  think  we  enjoy  Sunday  as  we  ought? 
Do  you  feel  it  to  be  a  very  delightful  day?  I 
trust  I  can  say  I  do  in  some  degree:  but  how 
cold  and  feeble  my  feelings  are!  Nothing  at 
all  in  comparison  of  what  they  ought  to  be. 
I  read  a  book  some  time  ago  in  which  the 
writer  spoke  of  the  hymn,  'Welcome,  sweet 
day  of  rest,'  coming  over  his  soul  as  though 
the  morning  stars  were  singing  praises  to 
their  Maker.  It  seemed  like  a  very  beauti- 
ful idea,  and  reminded  me  of  an  old  and  devo- 
tional hymn,  in  which  speaking  of  the  stars 
the  poet  says, 

•For  ever  singing  as  they  shine, 
The  hand  that  made  us  is  divine.7 


132  MEMOIR    OF 

"  It  greatly  rejoiced  me  to  hear  that  your  sis- 
ter was  enabled  to  trust  in  Jesus  before  her 
death;  and  I  hope  she  is  now  singing  the 
praises  of  her  Redeemer.  I  feel  deeply  for 
1  hose  i poor,  little,  motherless  ones.'  May  they 
be  guided  to  eternal  life  by  that  Saviour  who, 
when  on  earth,  blessed  little  children.  V. 
also  shall  have  my  prayers,  dear  Mary.  If 
she  will  only  trust  in  the  Saviour,  she  will 
find  a  friend  who  will  '  watch  for  her  good  ' 
more  than  the  tenderest  mother  could  do. 
Tell  her  that  if  she  chooses  Him,  she  will 
find  perfect  peace;  but  without  Him  she  will 
be  miserable.  May  I  hope  that  you  can  say 
this  to  her,  feeling  its  truth  yourself? 

"  I  hoped  you  would  tell  me  something  of 
your  own  feelings.  But  there  was  nothing 
in  your  letter  that  could  lead  me  to  suppose 
you  were  looking  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  Will 
you  think  me  foolish  for  bursting  into  tears 
when  I  read  it?  Oh  !  if  you  only  knew  how 
earnestly  1  long   for   your   conversion,  you 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  133 

would  not  think  it  strange.  Oh!  my  dearest 
Mary,  do  seek  the  Saviour.  Do  not  look  for 
any  thing  good  in  yourself;  but  believe  that 
Jesus  can  wash  you  in  his  blood  from  all  sin. 
Cast  all  upon  him,  and  the  peace  of  God, 
which  passeth  understanding,  will  fill  your 
heart. 

"Perhaps  you  have  heard  that  I  united  my- 
self with  the  church  at  the  last  communion. 
It  was  after  much  prayer  and  self-examination, 
through  much  doubt,  and  opposition,  and  hesi- 
tation that  I  applied  for  admission;  but  it  was 
in  accordance  with  my  settled  conviction  of 
duty,  and  I  feel  very,  very  happy  that  I  have 
professed  my  love  for  the  Saviour.  I  will  not 
attempt  to  describe  the  exercises  of  that  solemn 
but  delightful  day.  I  only  hope  that  some 
time  you  may  experience  the  same  yourself; 
then  you  will  know,  in  some  degree,  my  feel- 
ings. When  I  think  of  all  my  short-comings 
and  sins,  I  am  ready  to  tremble,  and  to  ex- 
claim, I  shall  one  day  perish.  But  God's 
12 


134  MEMOIR    OF 

right  hand  is  still  upholding  me,  and  I  trust 
he  will  still  make  his  grace  sufficient  for  me. 
Pray  for  me  always,  dear  Mary ;  I  need  your 
prayers  very  much.  There  is  one  more  idea 
which  I  wish  to  give  you.  Jesus  says,  *  If  two 
of  you  shall  agree  on  earth  touching  any  thing, 
it  shall  be  done  of  my  Father  in  heaven.' 
Now,  Mary,  are  you  in  earnest  when  you  say 
you  are  a  sinner  ?  Are  you  seeking  salvation 
with  your  whole  heart  ?  Are  you  praying  for 
your  conversion  earnestly ,  per  sever  in  gly  >  im- 
portunately? If  so,  you  cannot  'fail  of  the 
grace  of  God.'  Is  there  not  some  darling  sin 
to  which  you  cling?  If  you  do  not  answer 
these  questions  to  me,  I  wish,  I  entreat  you 
to  answer  them  to  God,  and  to  yourself. 

"Artemesia  V.'s  grandfather  is  dead. 
He  was  in  his  eightieth  year,  and  has  now 
gone,  I  trust,  to  <  enter  into  the  joy  of  his 
Lord,'  and  is  tasting  the  heavenly  blessedness. 
We  shall  miss  him  in  our  prayer  meeting.  He 
was  a  man  of  prayer.     But  he  is  now  done 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  135 

with  every  earthly  ordinance,  and  is  perfectly 
happy  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Mr. 
Helm  preached  the  most  beautiful  and  com- 
forting; funeral  sermon  I  ever  heard.  His  text 
was — i  Willing  rather  to  be  absent  from  the 
body,  and  to  be  present  with  the  Lord.'  Oh! 
Mary,  let  us  make  our  calling  and  election 
sure,  so  that  to  die  will,  to  us,  be  gain. 

Martha." 

United  to  the  people  of  God,  not  only  in 
spirit,  but  by  a  visible  relation,  the  character  of 
Martha  now  shone  forth  with  equal  sweetness 
and  lustre.  The  reader  has  already  perceived 
the  depth  and  tenderness  of  her  religious  feel- 
ings; and  will  readily  suppose  that  she  was  ear- 
nest and  constant  in  the  personal  and  private 
duties  of  a  Christian.  Prayer  was  to  her  much 
more  than  a  duty.  Such  was  her  view  of  the 
solemn  employment,  that  it  did  not  seem  pray- 
er to  her  unless,  in  quiet  seclusion,  she  could 
behold,  so  to  speak,  the  face  of  her  Redeemer 
with  special  nearness,  and  pour  out  her  whole 


136  MEMOIR    OF 

heart  at  the  mercy-seat.  During  the  winter, 
as  it  was  not  comfortable  to  spend  much  time 
in  her  chamber  without  fire,  she  usually  waited 
in  the  evening  until  the  family  had  retired  to 
rest,  and  closing  the  parlour,  remained  for 
careful  reading  of  the  scriptures  and  secret 
prayer.  Long  after  the  family  was  at  rest, 
her  cautious  step  would  be  heard  ascending  to 
her  own  apartment.  "On  very  cold  morn- 
ings/' says  her  mother,  "I  would  sometimes 
step  to  her  chamber  to  call  her,  as  she  re- 
quested, but  would  invariably  find  her  on  her 
knees,  with  an  old  cloak  thrown  over  her  shoul- 
ders. That  chamber  is  now  a  place  hallowed 
to  me  by  the  most  tender  and  sacred  associa- 
tions. From  it  her  spirit  took  its  flight  to 
heaven."  As  she  loved  to  use  an  audible 
voice  in  prayer,  the  earnestness  of  her  desires 
sometimes  led  her,  unconsciously,  to  elevate 
her  tones  so  that  her  mother  has  overheard 
the  supplications  which  were  meant  only  for 
the  ear  of  God.     They  were  marked  by  that 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  137 

deep  sense  of  sin  and  unworthiness  apparent 
in  her  whole  experience;  by  such  expressions 
of  contrition  as  her  parent  had  heard  from  no 
other  lips;  and  by  the  mingled  fervour  and 
confidence  of  one  who  felt  that  she  was  con- 
versing with  God,  as  it  were,  face  to  face.  It 
is  not  wonderful  that  if  she  was  at  any  time 
deprived  of  the  opportunity  of  drawing  nigh 
to  God  in  this  unreserved  and  refreshing  man- 
ner, she  felt  the  privation  sorely. 

Mention  has  been  already  made  of  the  love 
which  Martha  felt  for  the  word  of  God.  She 
was  accustomed  also  to  the  daily  perusal  of  a 
few — and  only  a  few  other  books  of  devotion. 
Early  in  her  religious  life,  she  read,  with  se- 
rious attention,  the  "  Rise  and  Progress  of 
Religion  in  the  Soul."  Afterwards  she  read 
again  and  again,  Willison's  Sacramental  Me- 
ditations. For  some  time  previous  to  her 
death,  a  copy  of  Jay's  Morning  Exercises 
was  her  daily  companion;  and  if  the  text  for 
the  day  was  particularly  rich  and  practical, 
12* 


138  MEMOIR  OP 

both  it  and  the  heads  of  remark  were  stored 
in  her  memory  for  meditation  in  a  leisure 
moment.       • 

She  loved  the  courts  of  the  Lord,  and  took 
unusual  delight  in  his  word  and  ordinances. 
Before  uniting  with  the  church,  a  communion 
season  was  not  only  a  solemn  but  very  inte- 
resting occasion  to  her.  While  at  school  in 
Philadelphia,  she  wrote  as  follows  to  a  young 
relative.  "At  aunt  H — 's  request  I  took 
medicine  and  went  to  bed;  and  though  quite 
sick  and  unable  to  read  much,  I  hope  I  have 
spent  a  profitable  Sabbath.  I  suppose  you 
were  not  at  church  this  afternoon,  as  it  was 
communion.  I  always  love  to  go  on  commu- 
nion Sabbaths.  The  services  are  then  so  so- 
lemn, and  I  always  feel  improved.  There  is 
an  awful  separation  between  those  who  are 
members  and  those  who  are  not,  which  pre- 
sents forcibly  to  my  mind  the  separation 
that  will  really  take  place  at  the  judgment 
day.     I  always  feel  sad  that  I  am  not  one  of 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  139 

the  number  who  partake  of  the  blessed  ordi- 
nance." It  was  very  gratifying  to  her  feel- 
ings, that  while  at  school  in  Philadelphia,  her 
visits  to  her  parents  were  so  timed  that  she- 
was  at  home  every  communion  season.  Her 
attendance  on  all  the  public  services  was  con- 
stant and  devout.  The  meetings  for  prayer 
and  the  weekly  lecture,  no  less  than  the  Sab- 
bath services  were  prized  by  her.  The  Lord's 
day  was  to  her  indeed  "  a  delight  and  honour- 
able." She  kept  it  holy  with  singular  care 
and  fidelity.  On  that  day  she  would  not  read 
a  religious  paper,  because  the  younger  chil- 
dren might  not  comprehend  the  distinction 
between  it  and  another  newspaper;  and  be- 
cause she  wished  to  devote  all  the  Sabbath 
hours  to  the  word  of  God  and  strictly  devo- 
tional reading. 

Martha  presented  a  beautiful  example  of 
filial  piety.  The  Divine  command,  "Ho- 
nour thy  father  and  thy  mother,"  had  its  due 
influence   alike   upon   her  feelings   and   her 


140  MEMOIR  OF 

conduct.  She  tenderly  loved  her  parents  and 
reverenced  their  authority.  "  She  was  to 
me,"  says  her  mother,  "  a  most  dutiful  and 
affectionate  child.  I  cannot  remember  that  I 
ever  detected  her  in  a  falsehood,  or  even  a 
slight  intention  to  deceive."  If  reproved 
for  any  little  oversight  or  accident,  she  never 
manifested  the  least  displeasure.  For  a  mo- 
ment her  countenance  would  indicate  that 
she  keenly  felt  the  censure;  but  not  a  syllable 
of  reply,  or  a  gesture  which  indicated  resent- 
ment, ever  escaped  her.  The  verses  ad- 
dressed to  her  father  and  mother  were  writ- 
ten before  she  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  evi- 
dently express  the  spontaneous  feelings  of 
her  heart.  After  her  return  from  school,  she 
continued  her  lessons  in  French,  drawing, 
and  music.  It  was  also  her  wish  to  devote 
considerable  time  to  reading.  In  this  desire, 
greatly  to  the  regret  of  her  parents,  she  was 
much  impeded  by  domestic  cares.  But  it 
gave  occasion  to  display  more  clearly  her  du- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  141 

tiful  spirit.  She  herself  admitted,  that  she 
possessed  no  taste  for  domestic  employments, 
and  took  no  interest  in  them  but  from  prin- 
ciple and  a  sense  of  filial  duty.  At  the  same 
time  she  felt  the  interruption  which  they  oc- 
casioned to  her  studies,  not  a  little.  Yet, 
when  the  health  of  her  mother  rendered  her 
attention  to  them  necessary;  she  cheerfully 
sacrificed  her  own  inclination,  and  with  ex- 
emplary patience  endeavoured  to  promote  the 
comfort  of  the  family.  In  regard  to  her  own 
wants,  she  manifested  the  utmost  delicacy  and 
moderation.  When  she  desired  a  piano  forte, 
she  was  careful  not  to  evince  any  importunity, 
lest  her  father  might  purchase  it  before  it  was 
entirely  convenient.  After  the  instrument 
was  procured,  she  devoted  herself  to  the  les- 
sons and  practice  almost  as  religiously  as  if 
they  had  been  enjoined  by  moral  precept,  be- 
cause her  father  was  fond  of  music.  The 
hope  of  imparting  one  charm  to  the  family 
circle,  of  beguiling  a  weary  moment  in  her 


142  MEMOIR    OP 

father's  professional  life,  or  of  attracting  her 
brothers  to  herself  and  home,  was  a  motive 
stronger  than  her  personal  accomplishment? 
and  invested  the  attainment  with  a  higher 
value  than  it  possessed  as  a  means  of  her  own 
gratification. 

She  was  a  tender  and  devoted  sister.  Con- 
necting her  views  of  religion  with  her  sisterly 
affection,  the  interest  which  she  took  in  her 
brothers  and  younger  sister  was  almost  ma- 
ternal. She  felt  a  great  desire  for  their  pro- 
gress in  knowledge.  But  above  all  she  longed 
for  their  conversion  and  everlasting  welfare. 
"  She  was  in  the  habit,"  says  her  mother,  "  of 
taking  Sally  and  Maskell  (the  youngest  two) 
apart  with  her  for  prayer.  Often  when  she 
thought  them  asleep,  they  have  heard  her 
voice  in  supplication. "  Shortly  before  her 
own  illness,  an  interesting  pupil  of  the  Aca- 
demy died;  and  she  expressed  the  most  anx- 
ious desire  that  it  might  make  a  good  impres- 
sion on  the  mind  of  her  brother  who  was 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  143 

about  the  same  age.  Afterward,  when  that 
brother  was  taken  sick  with  scarlet  fever? 
and  it  became  probable  the  disease  would  go 
through  the  family;  she  told  one  of  her  pious 
companions  that  she  had  earnestly  prayed,  if 
it  should  be  the  will  of  God  to  remove  any  of 
the  family,  it  might  be  herself.  She  hoped 
that  she  was  prepared  to  die,  but  she  had  no 
such  hope  respecting  her  brothers  and  sister. 
As  a  member  of  the  church,  she  was  exem- 
plary, devoted,  and  useful.  Her  standard  of 
Christian  practice,  like  her  standard  of  inward 
holiness,  was  very  high;  and  she  endeavoured 
to  approximate  more  closely  to  the  spirit  and 
example  of  the  Saviour,  day  by  day.  She 
loved  the  church  of  her  Redeemer:  and  from 
the  time  she  could  regard  herself  as  a  disci- 
ple of  Christ,  it  was  evidently  her  highest 
aim  to  live  for  him  and  Zion.  Her  heart 
overflowed  with^  love  to  the  people  of  God. 
On  the  thanksgiving  day  previous  to  her  join- 
ing the  church,  most  of  the  congregation  as- 


144  MEMOIR  OP 

sembled  at  the  house  of  the  pastor  for  friendly 
intercourse  with  him  and  each  other.  That 
house  was,  at  any  time,  a  favourite  resort 
with  Martha.  It  was  a  rare  thing  that  a 
whole  day  passed  without  her  being  in  it  once 
— often  more  than  once.  But  she  was  wholly 
in  her  element  on  the  thanksgiving  occasion. 
The  import  of  the  day,  the  expression  of  re- 
gard to  her  pastor,  and  the  social  greetings 
of  Christians — all  harmonized  exactly  with 
her  feelings.  It  was  a  happy  day  to  her. 
She  took  her  youngest  brother  with  her,  and 
as  he  has  since  stated,  retired  with  him  before 
they  went,  to  pray  that  they  might  be  blessed. 
Since  her  death  a  member  of  the  church  in 
humble  life,  related  to  the  writer  the  follow- 
ing incident  connected  with  that  day.  "  I  had 
no  acquaintance  with  Martha,  though  I  knew 
her  well  enough  by  sight;  nor  did  I  know 
that  she  was  serious.  But  when  I  entered 
the  house,  I  was  directed  to  a  room  in  which 
I  found  a  number  of  girls.     Martha  immedi- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  145 

ately  met  me  with  a  very  kind  and  sweet  ex- 
pression, which  was  not  only  unexpected,  but 
produced  an  effect  on  my  feelings  that  I  could 
not  account  for.  But  when  I  saw  her  stand 
up  for  admission  to  the  church,  the  recollec- 
tion of  her  manner  that  day  flashed  upon  my 
mind  at  once.  I  then  knew  it  was  her  Chris- 
tian affection  that  gave  her  the  peculiar  expres- 
sion which  so  touched  my  feelings."  So  it 
was,  no  doubt.  That  almost  electrifying  be- 
nignity of  expression  was  no  other  than  the 
utterance  of  her  love  to  a  disciple  of  Christ 
awakening  its  response  in  the  mysterious  sym- 
pathies of  the  Christian  bosom. 

"  Martha  felt  a  peculiar  tenderness  for  inqui- 
rers. It  awakened  all  her  heart  to  know  that 
a  person  was  anxious  for  salvation.  This  ten- 
der solicitude  was  beautifully  displayed  in  be- 
half of  one  of  her  young  companions  just  af- 
ter she  herself  had  joined  the  church.  "My 
intimate  acquaintance  with  Martha,"  says 
this  young  lady,  "did  not  commence  until  I 
13 


146  MEMOIR  OF 

had  become  interested  in  the  great  subject 
which  filled  her  heart.  When  I  knew  the 
love  of  God  to  be  the  great  theme  in  which 
she  took  most  delight,  and  perceived  her  in- 
tense desire  for  the  conversion  of  others,  I 
found  it  a  very  easy  matter  to  unburden  my 
heart  to  her.  I  well  remember  her  manner 
when  I  first  alluded  to  my  feelings.  She 
clasped  me  warmly  to  her  breast,  and  said,  '0  ! 
1  wish  you  would  be  persuaded  to  give  your- 
self at  once  to  God.'  I  found  her  from  that 
moment,  a  kind,  sympathizing  and  judicious 
friend.  She  never  lost  an  opportunity  to  as- 
sist me.  Often  when  every  thing  appeared 
dark,  her  timely  aid  almost  saved  me  from  de- 
spair. She  was  full  of  encouragement  for  me, 
although  I  afterwards  found  her  familiar  with 
the  dark  side,  very  suspicious  of  herself,  and 
constantly  humbled  with  the  view  of  her  sin- 
fulness and  low  attainments  in  piety.  Yet  she 
skilfully  pointed  me  to  all  that  was  consoling; 
placed  before  me  every  promise  which  could 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  147 

bring  a  ray  of  comfort;  and  when  I  found 
peace  in  believing,  her  gratitude  and  joy  were 
boundless.  . 

"  The  anxiety  manifested  for  all  her  uncon- 
verted friends  was  remarkable.  She  watched 
with  the  deepest  interest  every  appearance  of 
seriousness,  and  never  lost  an  opportunity  of 
increasing  and  encouraging  it.  *  A  word  fitly 
spoken,  how  good  is  it!'  Her  feelings  were 
very  ardent,  and  having  been  directed  in  the 
right  channel,  ran  out  in  love  to  her  Saviour 
and  all  his  people.  She  loved  God's  people, 
because  they  loved  her  Saviour  and  were  the 
objects  of  his  affection.  Her  attachment  to  her 
pastor  I  have  rarely  seen  equalled,  and  never 
exceeded.  I  have  often  heard  her  remark, 
that  she  hoped  she  could  love  any  one  who 
should  be  placed  over  her  as  a  guide  in  spiri- 
tual things;  yet  she  felt  confident  the  precise 
kind  of  regard  she  felt  for  her  present  pastor 
could  never  again  be  felt.  I  well  know  the 
feeling  and  the  cause. 


148  MEMOIR  OP 

"In  private  conversation  she  invariably 
chose  religious  subjects;  and  expressed  fre- 
quent regret  that  Christians  should  appear  so 
unwilling  to  converse  on  those  subjects  which, 
to  her,  seemed  sweetest.  She  often  remarked 
upon  the  glory  of  that  better  land  where  un- 
disturbed communion  with  Jesus  will  be  en- 
joyed. After  reading  one  of  Russell's  letters 
which  relates  to  the  request  of  Zebedee's 
children  to  be  near  Christ  in  his  kingdom, 
she  said  she  could  not  feel  satisfied  with  a  low 
place  in  heaven.  Although  she  thought  the 
lowest  seat  an  unspeakable  privilege,  and 
more  than  she  deserved;  yet  she  wished  to  be 
very  near  to  God  and  to  enjoy  close  fellow- 
ship with  the  Saviour.  Here  she  constantly 
mourned  over  her  imperfections,  and  felt  that 
her  very  best  services  were  full  of  sin.  She 
longed  to  be  more  like  Christ  and  to  enjoy 
more  intimate  communion  with  him.  Now 
she  has  '  risen  and  gone '  to  a  brighter  and 
better  world;  and  we  doubt  not  that  she  is 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  149 

enjoying  a  very  exalted  station  in  the  king- 
dom of  Christ.  To  her  the  Master  has  said, 
'  Because  thou  hast  been  faithful  in  a  few 
things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many 
things:  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.' 
May  we  all  be  found  watching,  and  our 
lamps  trimmed  and  burning;  that  when  the 
cry  is  heard,  'Behold  the  Bridegroom  cometh,' 
we  may  enter  in  to  the  marriage  supper  of 
the  Lamb.  S.  G.  C." 

The  following  notes  were  written  to  this 
friend  during  the  spiritual  conflict  above  re- 
ferred to.  They  were  pencilled  on  any  scrap 
of  paper  that  was  at  hand,  as  she  could  snatch 
a  moment  from  other  duties. 

"My  dear  Sally, 

I  wanted  to  write  you  a  little  note,  to  tell 
you  how  very,  very  glad  I  was  that  you  felt 
so  much  on  the  subject  of  religion,  and  that 
we  could  sympathize  so  entirely  with  each 
other.  I  do  wish  you  could  trust  yourself  to 
13* 


150  MEMOIR  OP 

the  Saviour,  and  give  your  whole  heart 
away  to  him.  Jesus  Christ  came  to  save  the 
lost.  Will  you  not  believe  that  he  is  willing 
to  save  you?  Only  confide  in  him,  and  you 
will  be  happy.  I  could  not  say  this  to  you, 
for  my  emotions  would  not  let  me.  But  1 
felt  1  could  write  it ;  and  though  I  do  not  sup- 
pose I  could  add  any  weight  to  the  advice  of 
your  kind  brother,  yet  I  wished  to  say  some- 
thing. I  cannot  bring  any  more  arguments 
than  he  has ;  but  I  know  that  Christ  is  anxious 
to  have  you  come  to  him,  and  he  will  make 
you  feel  those  sins  you  mourn  much  more  than 
you  now  do.  '  Oh  !  taste  and  see  that  the 
Lord  is  good:  blessed  are  all  they  that  put 
their  trust  in  him/  I  hope  you  are  already 
a  Christian.  If  not,  may  the  Lord  guide  you 
into  all  truth,  and  enable  you  to  be  one  of  the 
few  who  find  the  way  of  life.  This  is  my 
sincere  wish  and  prayer. 

Affectionately, 

Martha." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  151 

"I  know  I  cannot  say  any  thing  to  you 
that  would  have  more  influence,  if  as  much,  as 
Mr.  Helm  or  your  brother.  But  then  I  am  so 
anxious  for  you  to  feel  that  Jesus  will  pardon 
all  your  sins.  Perhaps,  while  you  are  endea- 
vouring to  trust  in  your  Saviour,  though  every 
thing  is  dark,  the  light  will  come  at  last,  and 
you  will  be  enabled  to  rejoice  in  the  hope 
that  all  your  sins  are  forgiven.  Lose  sight, 
dear  Sally,  if  you  can,  of  the  imperfections  of 
your  views  and  feelings,  and  fix  a  believing, 
trusting  eye  on  the  cross  of  the  Saviour. — ■ 
His  precious,  priceless  blood  can  cleanse  you 
from  all  sin.  Won't  you  try  to-night  to  sur- 
render all  into  his  hands  and  leave  the  result 
with  him  ?  I  know  I  cannot  advise  you  as  I 
ought,  but  I  can  pray  for  you;  and  if  I  could 
help  you  to  come  to  the  Saviour,  it  would 
make  me  very,  very  happy.  Confide  to  me 
all  your  doubts  and  fears,  and  rest  assured  of 
meeting  the  warmest,  heartfelt  sympathy.  I 
know  no  one  can  feel  for  you  more  than  I  do. 


152  MEMOIR  OF 

I  can  imagine  all  your  perplexities;  but  if  you 

can  only  forget  every  thing  but  the  Saviour's 

forgiving  love,  you  will  be  comforted,  I  know. 

Do  commit  your  whole  soul  into  the  Saviour's 

hands. 

Affectionately, 

Martha." 

"  I  can  scarcely  tell  you,  dear  Sally,  how 
glad  I  was  to  find  you  felt  more  comfortably. 
I  have  no  doubt  you  will  find  peace,  if  you 
continue  seeking  the  love  and  favour  of  Jesus 
Christ.  You  say,  if  you  only  knew  that  you 
really  loved  the  Saviour,  you  would  be  so 
happy.  Well,  now,  if  you  will  reflect  one  mo- 
ment, I  think  you  will  find  you  do.  Do  you 
not  love  his  people  ? — because  they  are  his  ? 
Do  you  not  love  his  worship?  Are  you  not 
longing  to  be  holy?  Do  you  think,  dear 
Sally,  that  a  heart  which  felt  no  love  to  the 
Saviour  would  mourn  over  its  sins  and  con- 
stantly seek  deliverance  from  them  ?  Do 
you  think  you  could  find  pleasure  in  holy  em- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  153 

ployments,  if  you  did  not  love  Him  to  whom 
they  lead  ?  Would  it  not  make  you  perfectly 
miserable  to  be  debarred  from  serving  him  as 
long  as  you  live?  Think  of  these  things 
calmly  and  seriously,  and  if  your  heart  does 
not  respond  to  them  as  you  wish,  I  am  very 
much  mistaken  in  you.  Plead  the  promise, 
6  Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out.'  Trust  yourself  in  the  Lord's  hands, 
and  leave  the  result  to  him.  Dedicate  your- 
self solemnly  to  his  service,  resolved  daily  to 
seek  his  sustaining  grace.  Cannot  you  leave  all 
in  his  hands  and  go  forward  in  duty,  though  it 
may  be  in  the  dark?  'Be  careful  for  nothing; 
but  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication 
let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God, 
and  (mark  the  promise,)  the  peace  of  God, 
which  passeth  all  understanding,  shall  Jill 
your  heart.'  I  commend  you  to  a  covenant 
God:  may  He  guide  you. 

Affectionately, 

Martha." 


154  MEMOIR  OF 

"It  grieves  me, dear  Sally,  to  find  you  still 
groping  in  the  dark.  I  had  hoped  that  you 
would  find  peace  in  believing.  You  do  not 
know  that  you  love  God's  people  because  they 
are  his  ?  I  thought,  after  I  wrote  that  ques- 
tion, that  it  might  confuse  you.  I  appreciate 
3'our  fearfulness  of  ascribing  your  attachment 
to  them  to  the  proper  motive,  lest  you  might 
be  deceived.  But  take  a  simple  case.  If 
you  already  love  a  particular  person,  is  not 
your  love  sensibly  increased,  should  you 
learn  that  such  a  person  loves  the  Saviour? 
But  I  cannot  make  you  see  that  you  have  the 
right  feeling.  I  hope  you  will  look  a  little 
deeper  into  your  heart,  and  I  am  almost  sure 
you  will  find  something  encouraging.  How- 
ever, I  am  not  certain.  If  we  should  search 
for  good  in  ourselves  for  ever,  we  should  not 
find  it.  Sure  I  am  that  if  I  should  try  to  find 
something  in  my  actions  this  day  to  give  me 
a  right  to  go  to  God,  I  would  sit  down  in  de- 
spair.    If  I  were  to  seek  for  that  deep  and 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  155 

pungent  conviction  of  sin,  that  intense  love  to 
the  Saviour,  which  I  ought  to  feel,  I  could  not 
satisfy  myself.  Dear  Sally,  it  is  only  by  fix- 
ing an  eye  on  the  cross  that  we  can  be  happy. 
I  know  I  do  not  love  the  Saviour  at  all  as  1 
ought.  But  he  does  not  say,  if  you  do  not 
feel  just  so  much  affection  for  me,  you  cannot 
be  saved.  All  that  is  required  is  to  feel  your 
need  of  a  Saviour,  and  to  trust  him.  We  go 
to  Christ  because  we  are  unfeeling  and  hard- 
hearted. He  will  make  us  feel  our  sins  more. 
I  am  sure  I  never  cried  'God  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner,'  with  so  much  earnestness  as  I 
have  since  I  hoped  I  was  forgiven.  My  sins 
never  grieved  me  half  so  much;  and  I  am  al- 
most sure  you  will  feel  the  same  in  your  ex- 
perience. I  need  your  prayers,  for  I  am  weak: 
but  the  grace  of  God  is  sufficient.  Read  the 
Bible  and  pray,  and  I  do  hope  you  will  be 
happy.     God  bless  you. 

Martha." 


156  MEMOIR  OF 

"  I  received  your  note,  dear  Sally,  yester- 
day afternoon,  and  I  assure  you  it  gave  me  the 
sincerest  pleasure.  I  am  truly  glad  you  can 
go  to  the  Saviour  just  as  you  are — just  as  sin- 
ful, hard-hearted,  and  unbelieving  as  you  feel 
yourself  to  be.  Endeavour  to  trust  his  love. 
He  will  save  you,  if  you  will  only  rely  on  his 
promise.  I  trust  you  are  not  deceived ;  I  pray 
that  you  may  be  led  in  the  right  way.  How 
glad  your  brother  will  be,  when  he  finds  that 
you  have  given  yourself  to  Christ.  Did  you. 
notfeel  very  happy  Thursday  evening?  There 
is  something  so  delightful  in  trusting  our  whole 
soul  into  the  Saviour's  hands,  and  in  feeling 
he  will  'save  to  the  uttermost'  all  who  trust 
in  him.  We  can  rejoice  now  in  one  Saviour, 
can  we  not?  Do  you  not  feel  in  your  inmost 
heart  that  Jesus  is  your  Saviour?  Do  you  not 
love  him  very  much?  Let  us  both  thank 
God  for  bringing  us  to  a  knowledge  of  him- 
self. Do  not  forget  that  praise  is  the  Chris- 
tian's employment.     Endeavour  to  rejoice  in 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.*  157 

the  Lord.  Each  day  commit  your  soul  to  him, 
and  I  know  you  will  be  happy.  Henry  was 
here  last  evening,  and  we  spoke  of  those  seri- 
ous in  the  church.  He  said  you  seemed  to  be 
in  a  great  deal  of  trouble  lately.  /  could  have 
told  him  'good  news,'  but  did  not.  Do  you 
go  to  Philadelphia  on  Monday?  If  so,  be 
watchful  and  careful.  I  suppose  you  are  think- 
ing of  the  words,  Luke  xxii.  19,  last  clause. 
Seek  direction  from  above  in  this  important 
matter.     Ever  your  sincere  friend, 

Martha." 

"  If  I  could  make  you  feel  happier,  dear 
Sally,  I  should  feel  glad.  But  I  am  too  inex- 
perienced to  advise.  You  ask  about  my  feel- 
ings. Ah!  if  you  knew  the  coldness  of  this 
heart;  if  you  knew  the  sins  I  have  commit- 
ted since  I  professed  to  be  a  Christian,  you 
would  not  think  of  asking  me  to  help  you. 
But  I  trust  only  in  the  Saviour's  blood:  it  is 
my  sole  dependence.  I  can  truly  say,  that 
14 


158  MEMOIR  OF 

without  it  I  would  be  most  miserable.     I  have 
felt  all  you  complain  of.    Sometimes  I  thought 
I  would  trust  Jesus  for  every  thing.     Again 
I  was  afraid  I  had  no  right  even  to  pray  to 
him.     Those  are  sad  times,  dear  Sally,  when 
the  heart  is  nigh  breaking,  and  yet  cannot  see 
the  way  of  pardon.     Can  you  not  give  your- 
self to  Christ?     My  heart  sympathizes  with 
you  entirely.     Sometimes  the  Lord  hides  his 
face,  and  I  feel  ready  to  despair.     I  say,  I  shall 
one   day  surely  perish.     But  his  sovereign, 
amazing  grace  is  still  as  efficacious  as  ever. 
Do  trust  that  grace.     Are  you  perfectly  will- 
ing to  forsake  the  world  for  God  ?     Is  there 
not  some  secret  feeling  of  reluctance?     I  judge 
by  myself.     I  often  wonder  now  that  I  ever 
came  to  Christ.     Yet  I  think  I  have  come  to 
him.     It  was  by  a  way  I    knew  not.     His 
Spirit  can  do  all  things:  trust  him,  if  you  pos- 
sibly can.     I  really  think  it  would  have  been 
better  to  have  come  directly  home  last  night 
from  prayer-meeting.    I  was  too  trifling.    Am 
I  not  sometimes  a  stumbling-block  to  you  ? 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  159 

When  shall  I  be  holy?  Sometimes  I  think  I 
ought  not  to  consider  myself  a  Christian.  But 
I  still  endeavour  to  trust  the  Saviour.  I  wish 
you  could  do  so.  I  am  afraid  to  tell  you  any 
thing,  for  fear  it  might  be  wrong.  But  the 
state  of  mind  which  distrusts  every  thin"-  but 
God  is  not  wrong,  I  think.  'The  heart,'  you 
know,  'is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  des- 
perately wicked.'  Do  not  rely  on  it  for  a  mo- 
ment, but  believe  all  your  Saviour  says.  His 
word  can  never  fail;  what  he  says  is  true: 
trusting  in  him,  you  cannot  err.  You  are  now 
young:  do  devote  the  best  part  of  your  days 
to  God. 

The  sermon  was  excellent,  I  thought,  this 
morning;  but  I  felt  too  sick  to  enjoy  it  very- 
much.  Father  and  mother  are  not  willing 
for  me  to  go  to  Sunday  school  in  the  rain. 
Tell  Mr.  B.  I  am  sick,  and  ask  him  to  get  a 
teacher  for  my  class.  I  am  sorry  I  cannot 
come:  it  is  my  first  absence. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 


160  MEMOIR  OP 

"  I  am  gratified,  dear  Sally,  that  you  have 
resolved  to  profess  your  love  to  the  Saviour. 
I  hope  you  will  be  very  happy  in  the  solemn 
act.  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  feel  it  to  be 
very  solemn  indeed;  and  that  you  are  very 
solicitous  to  profess  your  Redeemer  in  a  fit 
manner.  I  rejoice  that  you  have  resolved  to 
be  a  Christian ;  and  I  know  you  are  convinced 
that  religion  affords  the  only  true  happiness. 
I  do  not  feel  capable  of  giving  you  advice. 
But  I  know  if  you  trust  the  Lord  completely ', 
believe  all  his  promises,  and  look  to  him  con- 
tinually for  strength;  if  you  distrust  your  own 
heart  and  feel  that  you  are  an  unprofitable 
servant,  not  at  all  worthy  of  salvation,  and 
yet  believe  that  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  the 
Lord  will  forgive  and  save;  you  cannot  fail  to 
find  peace.  The  Lord  will  be  your  guide 
even  unto  death;  he  will  sanctify  your  trou- 
bles, dearest  Sally;  his  gracious  presence  will 
support  you  in  afflictions;  he  will  manifest 
himself  to  you  as  a  reconciled  Father  through 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP,  161 

all  the  changes  of  this  life;  and  when  you  are 
called  to  pass  through  the  dark  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  he  will  be  with  you  and 
guide  you  to  heaven,  where  the  Lamb  that  is 
in  the  midst  of  the  throne  will  lead  you  to 
living  fountains  of  waters,  and  God  shall  wipe 
away  all  tears  from  your  .eyes.  Has  he  not 
well  said,  <  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  for- 
sake thee?'  Answer  this  soon,  and  tell* me 
all  your  fears  and  hopes.  You  know  I  sym- 
pathize with  you  in  every  one  of  them. 
Yours  affectionately, 

Martha." 

"  My  dear  Sally, 

I  have  been  up  in  my  room  reading,  and 
praying,  and  trying  to  draw  near  to  God; 
and  I  feel  Christ  to  be  very  precious.  When- 
ever I  am  engaged  in  these  delightful  em- 
ployments, my  heart  involuntarily  turns  to 
you,  and  I  think  of  our  intercourse  of  late. 
What  pleasant  times  we  have  had  together, 
14* 


162  MEMOIR  OP 

talking  about  our  own  hearts  and  the  Saviour, 
and  trying  to  be  his  entirely.  Do  not  you 
love  to  think  of  those  moments,  such  as  we 
had  at  Mr.  Helm's,  in  Caddy's  room?  I 
have  been  reading  your  notes  over  again,  and 
thinking  of  your  long  and  sad  conflict,  and 
how  pleasant  it  was  for  me  to  help  you  ever 
so  little.  I  feel  grateful  that  you  have  really 
set  but  in  the  Christian  life:  we  can  now  sym- 
pathize with  each  other  entirely.  I  never 
realized  how  much  feeling  and  tenderness 
was  expressed  in  the  hymn,  'Blest  be  the  tie 
that  binds/  until  I  knew  you.  I  think  our 
hearts  are  really  united  in  Christian  love;  for 
it  was  that  which  led  to  our  friendship.  I 
know  that  I  am  deeply  interested  for  your 
spiritual  welfare;  and  I  cannot  believe  you 
are  regardless  of  mine.  But,  dear  Sally,  let 
us  try  to  be  more  holy.  I  am  mourning 
daily  over  my  sinfulness,  and  yet  I  do  not  see 
the  improvement.  Shall  we  not  have  a  par- 
ticular hour  to  pray  for  each  other?     Let  us 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  163 

take  the  promise,  <  If  any  two  of  you  shall 
agree  respecting  one  thing,  it  shall  be  done  of 
my  Father.'  I  have  not  the  exact  words,  but 
sufficiently  near  the  meaning.  Suppose  at 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  we  pray  for 
each  other.  If  convenient,  let  us  retire  for 
the  purpose;  but  if  not,  you  know  our  hearts 
can  be  lifted  up  to  God.  We  can  include 
Sally  Ann*  in  our  petitions,  or  any  one  for 
whom  we  both  feel  interested.  May  not  this 
plan  be  beneficial?  I  think  it  is  very  delight- 
ful to  feel  certain  at  a  particular  moment  that 
a  friend  is  praying  for  us.  It  may  relieve  us 
when  in  darkness,  or  under  the  hidings  of 
God's  face.  Will  and  I  were  talking  of  that 
the  evening  he  was  here,  and  he  said  he  thought 
scarcely  any  one  suffered  more  from  occasional 
depression  than  he.  It  is  sad  to  see  every 
thing  dark  before  us,  as  I  sometimes  do. 
6  The  heart  knoweth  its  own  bitterness.'    But 

*  A  young  lady  at  the  time  anxious  for  salvation,  since 
admitted  to  the  church. 


164  MEMOIR  OF 

Jesus  is  a  tried  and  precious  friend.     Let  us 
trust  him  entirely. 

With  very  much  love, 

Martha." 

Her  desire  for  the  salvation  of  others  was 
habitual.  There  scarcely  remains  a  letter,  a 
note,  or  even  a  composition  which  she  ever 
penned,  that  does  not  reveal  the  state  of  her 
feelings  on  this  great  subject.  In  a  note  to  a 
relative,  before  she  had  joined  the  church, 
she  says,  "I  fear  you  may  think  it  out  of 
place  in  one  so  young  and  erring  to  advise 
you.  But,  although  1  have  but  little  expe- 
rience, I  tremblingly  hope  I  am  not  entirely 
destitute  of  the  knowledge  of  Him,  whom  to 
know  aright  is  life  eternal.  That  you  may 
knowhim  and surrenderyourself  unreservedly 
to  him  is  the  earnest  and  unceasing  prayer  of 

Martha." 

In  a  playful  letter  to  the  same  cousin,  writ- 
ten with  more  abandon  than  she  ever  indulged 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  165 

in  another  instance,  she  says:  "How  I  came 
to  speak  in  so  trifling  a  manner,  I  cannot  ima- 
gine. And  now,  I  want  to  address  you  on  a 
subject  which  I  fear  will  be  unpleasant.  I 
only  fear  it  will:  I  hope  it  wo'n't.  We  have 
always  been  so  intimate  that  there  is  no  use 
of  avoiding  the  subject  of  our  religious  feel- 
ings, while  we  speak  about  every  thing  else. 
You  know  how  I  regard  this  subject.  Do 
you  accord  with  me?  Do  you  regard  reli- 
gion as  the  one  thing  needful?  Oh!  my  dear 
S.  E.,  I  cannot  express  to  you  how  earnestly 
I  desire  that  you  may  sympathize  with  me 
in  this." 


TO   MY   MOTHER. 

My  mother,  words  cannot  express 
The  measure  of  my  love  : 

Affection  of  no  earthly  mould, 
But  that  of  heaven  above. 


166  MEMOIR  OP  MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

Oh !  could  I  tell  thee  how  my  heart 

Is  firmly  bound  to  thine  ! 
Thy  feelings  of  my  own  are  part, 

Thy  sorrows  all  are  mine. 

Can  I  repay  thee  as  I  ought, 

For  thy  unceasing  care  ? 
I  cannot ;  but  my  Saviour  will, 

In  answer  to  my  prayer. 

When  he  shall  make  his  jewels  up, 
Among  them  thou  wilt  stand, 

And  strike  thy  harp  to  heavenly  strains, 
With  the  angelic  band. 

And  wilt  thou,  in  thy  fervent  prayers, 
Thy  covenant  God  beseech, 

His  gracious  Spirit  to  impart, 
Thy  erring  child  to  teach  ?• 


CHAPTER  VII. 


"  Calm  on  the  bosom  of  thy  God, 

Young  spirit !  rest  thee  now  ! 
Ev'n  while  on  earth  thy  footsteps  trod: 

His  seal  was  on  thy  brow. 
Dust  to  its  narrow  house  beneath  ! 

Soul  to  its  place  on  high ! 
They  that  have  seen  thy  peaceful  death, 

No  more  need  fear  t3  die.5' 


Martha  now  filled  a  large  place  both  in  the 
affections  and  the  hopes  of  her  Christian 
friends.  They  justly  regarded  her  as  one  of 
the  brightest  ornaments  and  most  valuable 
members  of  the  church.  Possessing  a  supe- 
rior and  well  cultivated  mind,  an  affectionate 
disposition,  and  great  sweetness  of  manners; 


16S  MEMOIR  OF 

she  was  fitted  to  shine  in  any  circle,  and  to 
win  the  love  of  all  who  knew  her.  But  reli- 
gion was  her  chief  adornment.  To  deep  ear- 
nestness in  her  personal  feelings,  she  joined  a 
most  attractive  Christian  character,  and  ex- 
emplary zeal  and  energy  in  the  cause  of  her 
Redeemer.  Ardent,  but  judicious;  humble, 
yet  firm  and  decided;  with  every  qualification 
for  usefulness;  she  seemed  to  have  just  entered 
a  luminous  path,  stretching  onward  and  up- 
ward through  many  years.  With  her  gifts 
and  her  devotedness,  it  was  reasonable  to  hope 
that  she  would  be  a  blessing  to  her  friends  and 
Zion.  But  already  had  she  reached  the  cul- 
minating point  in  her  upward  path;  and  one 
brief,  sad  chapter  must  record  all  that  remains 
of  her  earthly  history. 

In  the  latter  part  of  April  she  made  a  short 
visit  to  her  friends  in  Philadelphia,  hastening 
home  for  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  in 
the  church  at  Salem,  which  she  anticipated 
with  great  interest.     Either  in  the  city  or  on 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  169 

the  boat  homeward,  it  is  supposed  her  bro- 
ther, who  accompanied  her,  contracted  the 
scarlet  fever.  Though  very  sick  with  the 
disease,  it  seemed,  in  his  case,  to  be  under  the 
control  of  remedies;  and  it  was  hoped  that  if 
it  spread  through  the  family,  the  other  chil- 
dren would  have  it  in  a  mild  form.  Although 
Martha  evinced  nothing  like  the  panic  which 
many  feel,  her  mind  was  deeply  impressed 
with  the  solemnity  of  such  a  visitation  to  a 
large  family.  The  reader  will  remember  her 
disinterested  prayer  that  she  might  be  taken 
rather  than  one  of  the  family  who  was  not 
pious.  In  her  journal  she  says,  "The  disease 
will  probably  go  through  the  family.  0  Lord, 
our  times  are  in  thy  gracious  hand.  I  want 
to  be  prepared  for  life  or  death.  If  God  shall 
see  fit  to  remove  any  of  us  by  death,  1  do  hope 
I  can  say,  'Thy  will  be  done.'  I  feel  that  I 
can  trust  my  heavenly  Father. 

c  Pll  go  and  come,  nor  fear  to  die, 
Till  from  on  high,  thou  call'st  me  home.' 
15 


170  MEMOIR  OF 

I  hope  I  am  going  home."  This  was  the  last 
entry  in  her  journal,  and  filled  the  book  in 
which  it  is  written :  the  last  words  being  on  a 
slip  of  paper  pinned  to  the  cover. 
9  On  Thursday,  May  6th,  she,  for  the  last 
time,  spent  a  season  alone  in  her  room.  It 
cannot  be  doubtful  how  those  moments  were 
employed.  Then  she  took  the  solemn  view 
of  death  appropriate  under  the  circumstances, 
and  set  her  house  in  order  against  the  sum- 
mons, which  she  felt  might  be  so  near.  The 
following  lines,  pencilled  on  a  card,  are  be- 
lieved to  have  been  written  at  that  time: 

"  I  have  risen  and  gone,"  to  that  happy  land, 
Where  the  saints  and  the  martyrs  dwell ; 
And  when  I  have  joined  the  glorious  band, 
Then,  then  I  can  say — "All  is  well." 

When  I  cast  my  crown  at  my  Saviour's  feet, 
With  emotions  that  none  here  can  tell ; 

And  join  the  glad  anthem  for  angels  meet, 
Then,  then  I  can  say — "All  is  well." 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  171 

"I  have  risen  and  gone"  to  the  land  above, 
Where  with  rapture  the  heart  doth  swell ; 
And  when  I  rejoice  in  my  Saviour's  love, 
Then,  then  I  can  say— "All  is  well." 

"  I  have  risen  and  gone  "  from  this  gloomy  earthy 
"Where  with  coldness  we  often  repel, 
To  a  far  distant  country,  of  holier  worth, 
Where  every  one  says — "All  is  well." 

About  sun-set  she  entered  for  the  last  time 
her  pastor's  house,  two  doors  from  her  father's, 
where  her  winning  smile  was  so  familiar  and 
so  welcome.  Mrs.  H.  made  some  remark 
in  reference  to  her  sad  expression.  She  re- 
plied that  she  was  not  well,  but  felt  as  if 
something  dreadful  was  going  to  happen. 
When  her  friend  attempted  to  cheer  her,  she 
burst  into  tears,  placed  her  handkerchief  to 
her  eyes,  and  ran  home.  In  the  night  she 
was  taken  ill  of  the  fever,  but  the  disease  did 
not  assume  a  threatening  form  until  near 
its  termination.  On  Monday  evening  she 
was  thought  to  have  passed  the  crisis  and  ap- 


172  MEMOIR  OP 

V 

peared  decidedly  better.  But  near  eleven 
o'clock  she  grew  worse,  and  the  symptoms 
became  very  alarming.  During  the  night  she 
suffered  intense  agony  in  her  throat  and  head. 
Early  on  Tuesday  morning  a  message  was 
sent  to  her  pastor.  He  came  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  was  shown  into  her  room.  At  the 
same  time  he  was  told  she  would  probably 
not  know  him.  He  found  her  in  an  almost 
unconscious  state;  but  when  addressed  she 
revived  and  easily  recognised  him.  She  also 
gave  intelligent  and  very  satisfactory  answers 
to  all  his  inquiries;  and  retained  the  entire 
possession  of  her  reason  until  almost  the  very 
moment  of  dissolution.  Her  mind  was  per- 
fectly calm,  her  trust  in  the  Saviour,  simple 
and  cordial;  and  while  for  her  friends'  sake 
she  would  be  glad  to  live,  yet  if  it  were  God's 
will  to  take  her  away,  she  was  ready  to  die. 
These  answers  were  given  without  the  least 
agitation  or  alarm;  and  in  the  same  devout, 
humble,  and  serious  manner  which  had  al- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  173 

4 
ways  marked  the  expression  of  her  religious 

hopes.  In  a  very  touching  manner  she  ex- 
pressed her  obligations  to  her  pastor  for  the 
interest  he  had  taken  in  her,  and  thanked  him 
for  all  his  efforts  to  promote  her  spiritual 
welfare. 

This  was  an  awful  day  in  the  family.  One 
child  was  barely  out  of  danger,  another  was 
just  sickening,  and  of  three  more,  it  was 
doubtful  which  would  die  first.  Martha 
grew  worse  throughout  the  day.  In  the  af- 
ternoon, she  inquired  if  her  father  thought 
her  dying.  This  question  was  afterwards  re- 
peated, and  her  mother  asked — "  Martha,  are 
you  afraid  to  die?"  She  answered,  "No:" 
but  said  if  her  dissolution  was  near,  she  did 
not  wish  to  go  to  sleep.  Soon  after  she 
thought  her  bodily  senses  were  failing.  Al- 
ready she  articulated  with  difficulty,  and  she 
believed  that  her  sight  and  hearing  grew 
weaker.  It  was  evident  she  wished  to  say 
something  to  her  friends  before  the  power  of 
15* 


174  MEMOIR  OP 

speech  was  gone.  Again  she  asked  what  her 
father  thought;  and  her  mother,  feeling  that 
she  ought  not  to  be  kept  in  suspense,  told  her 
the  whole  truth.  The  intelligence  gave  her 
not  the  slightest  alarm.  She  had  only  been 
waiting  for  this  admission,  that  she  might  be 
allowed  to  express  her  last  desires.  After 
asking  her  mother  to  lie  down  by  her  side, 
she  placed  her  head  close  to  the  breast  of  her 
parent  and  put  her  arm  tenderly  around  her 
person.  In  this  position  she  spoke  freely  of 
her  departure,  and  gave  utterance  to  her  dy- 
ing requests.  To  her  mother  she  expressed 
the  most  fond  and  tender  affection,  saying 
that  if  she  had  ever  failed  in  her  duty  as  a 
child,  she  desired  her  forgiveness.  When  her 
parent  spoke  in  strong  terms  of  her  dutiful 
spirit  and  exemplary  conduct,  she  said  with 
earnestness,  "  I  have  tried  to  do  right,  but  I 
am  not  perfect;  I  feel  my  sinfulness."  "  But," 
replied  her  parent,  "  you  have  always  mourned 
for     your    sins."      "Yes,"    she    answered, 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  175 

"whenever  I  knew  it  to  be  sin:  but  that  is 
not  my  dependence  now.  My  whole  trust  is 
in  Christ."  She  then  told  her  mother  where 
to  find  her  papers,  which  she  directed  to  be 
destroyed.  The  mention  of  these  reminded 
her  of  an  unanswered  letter  from  her  friend 
and  early  schoolmate.  She  spoke  of  it. 
"  Write,"  said  she  to  her  mother,  "  write  to 
Mary  I.  and  give  her  my  love.  Tell  her  that 
I  received  her  letter  the  day  I  was  taken  sick, 
and  could  not  answer  it.  Beg  her  not  to  read 
those  foolish  novels,  but  to  seek  the  Saviour. 
I  want  her  to  meet  me  in  heaven."  As  the 
state  of  her  throat  rendered  her  articulation 
difficult  and  indistinct,  she  would  eagerly  in- 
quire, "  Do  you  understand  me  ?"  "  Tell  cou- 
sin S.  E.,"  she  proceeded,  "  not  to  delay  re- 
pentance till  a  dying  bed.  If  I  had  now  to 
seek  the  Saviour,  I  could  not  do  it.  All  I  can 
do  now  is  to  lie  in  his  hands,  and  I  feel  him 
to  be  very  precious.  Tell  my  aunts  that  I 
love  them."    She  exhorted  her  mother,  in  the 


176  MEMOIR  OF 

most  solemn  manner,  to  do  all  in  her  power 
to  lead  the  other  children  to  the  Saviour,  that 
she  might  meet  them  an  unbroken  family  in 
heaven.  A  member  of  the  church  present 
asked  if  she  knew  her.  "0!  yes,"  she  re- 
plied, "  it  is  Mrs.  B.  Give  my  love  to  E., 
[her  daughter,]  and  tell  her  to  seek  religion. " 
She  directed  the  same  message  to  the  Sunday 
school  teachers  who  were  not  pious.  She 
wished  to  find  them  all  at  last  in  heaven, 
where  she  expected  to  meet  her  pastor  and 
Christian  friends.  Her  father  being  engaged 
with  one  of  the  other  children  which  was 
very  low,  she  asked  for  him,  and  took  leave 
of  him  with  the  request  that  he  would  meet 
her  in  heaven.  To  the  prayer  which  her 
pastor  offered,  she  gave  a  devout  and  fixed  at- 
tention; and  though  in  great  pain  joined  in 
singing  hymns  which  she  mentioned — "  Jesus, 
lover  of  my  soul." — "Amazing  grace,  how 
sweet  the  sound!"  When  her  mother  began 
to  repeat,  "  Rock  of  ages,  shelter  me,"  she  re- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  177 

cited  in  a  feeling  and  emphatic  manner,  the 
whole  of  the  first  stanza.  Almost  in  her  last 
hour  she  attempted  to  join  in  singing,  "  There 
is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood."  Her  last 
audible  expression  was,  "Happy — happy — 
happy." 

But  the  scene  cannot  be  adequately  de- 
scribed. It  is  easy  to  throw  around  a  dying 
bed  the  curtains  of  fiction  so  completely  as  to 
conceal  the  reality.  The  writer  wishes  to 
give  a  faithful  impression  of  this  one.  He 
describes  only  what  he  saw  and  heard.  Death 
was  there;  and  death  is  a  solemn  thing.  He 
felt  it  to  be  inexpressibly  solemn  in  this  case; 
yet  he  never  felt  any  place  to  be  so  near  hea- 
ven. There  was  a  dear  sufferer  in  the  agony 
of  the  last  conflict;  and  the  pains,  the  groans, 
the  dying  strife  of  that  conflict,  are  serious 
realities.  But  there  was  a  divine  presence 
that  was  also  a  reality;  and  the  peace,  the 
hope,  the  strength,  afforded  to  the  sufferer, 
were  as  real  as  the  very  pangs  of  dissolution. 


178  MEMOIR    OF 

It  was  the  Saviour's  presence  in  "the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,"  that  took  away  the 
sting  of  death.  It  was  his  hand  upholding 
his  confiding  child,  that  made  it  easy  to  die. 
At  about  half-past  twelve  in  the  morning  of 
May  12th,  Martha  was  at  rest. 

Her  death  cast  a  gloom  over  the  whole  com- 
munity. The  church  to  which  she  belonged 
was  in  tears;  and  though  without  a  relative 
in  the  village  outside  of  her  father's  house, 
there  were  never  more  tears  shed  upon  one 
grave  in  the  place  than  fell  on  hers.  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord."  An 
extract  from  the  discourse  preached  by  her 
pastor  will  close  this  chapter. 

"My  brethren,  God  is  c wonderful  in  coun- 
sel,' as  well  as  < mighty  in  working.'  My 
anxious  heart  has  asked — what  meaneth  this? 
Why  is  one  so  full  of  promise — so  likely  to 
live,  and  so  fitted  to  live  usefully,  gone  so 
quickly?  But  I  can  only  hear  the  sovereign 
whisper  of  the  Saviour — 'What  I   do  thou 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  179 

knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  here- 
after/  He  commits  no  blunder  in  these 
strange  allotments.  We  cannot  understand 
why  it  is  best;  but  he  does  all  things  well. 
He  can  make  plain  his  conduct  hereafter.  He 
can  give  the  reasons  to  the  weeping  parents 
whom  he  has  stricken,  to  the  church  which  he 
has  bereaved,  and  to  the  Christian  friends  that 
mourn. 

"I  pray  that  the  event  may  make  just  the 
right  impression  upon  every  heart.  I  trust  I 
have  received  valuable  impressions  upon  my 
own  mind.  Never  has  the  gospel  appeared  to 
me  more  glorious  than  in  connexion  with  this 
event.  Never  have  1  entertained  higher  views 
of  my  office,  than  when  I  have  thought  of  the 
privilege  of  guiding  a  mind  like  hers  to  the 
Saviour,  of  contributing  to  the  development 
of  a  character  like  hers,  and  of  helping  onward 
to  the  kingdom  so  bright  a  subject  of  God's 
redeeming  grace. 

"'Brethren,  the  time  is  short.,     The  sum- 


ISO  MEMOIR    OF 

mons  will  come  for  you  each  in  turn;  it  will 
come  for  some  of  you  soon.  If  I  shall  be 
called  to  stand  by  your  dying  bed,  may  it  be 
3  ike  hers.  Let  the  sweet  remembrance  of  her 
devotion  to  the  Saviour  stimulate  us  in  the  path 
of  duty.  Let  our  hearts,  like  hers,  literally 
breathe  after  holiness — more  devotedness — 
more  of  the  Saviour's  image — more  of  re- 
freshing communion  with  God — and  more 
freedom  from  sin.  We  shall  soon  all  be  in 
eternity.  Dear  brethren,  shall  we  all  meet 
the  loved  and  gone  in  a  sweet  re-union  before 
the  throne  of  our  Redeemer? 

"But,  my  young  friends,  my  chief  solicitude 
is,  that  this  event  may  make  a  right  impres- 
sion upon  your  minds.  It  seems  to  me  that 
God  was  never  so  near  to  you,  and  his  voice 
so  solemn  as  it  now  is.  He  came  into  your 
midst  in  a  season  of  prevailing  coldness,  and 
took  one  of  you  as  a  subject  of  his  grace,  to 
show  you  that  the  young  may  find  the  Saviour. 
He  secretly  led  her  on  to  most  surprising  at- 


MARTHA  T.  SHARP.  1S1 

tainments  in  piety,  to  show  you  how  religion 
can  bless  the  young.  He  enabled  her  to  put 
on  a  most  attractive  Christian  character,  and 
to  exhibit  a  singular  example  of  zeal  and  en- 
ergy, to  show  you  what  a  mere  child  can  do, 
when  wholly  devoted  to  the  Saviour,  to  glorify 
his  name.  He  has  now  taken  her  away  to 
show  you  how  his  grace  can  brighten  the  dy- 
ing couch  of  a  young  Christian.  I  feel  as 
though  the  Saviour  made  now  his  most  affect- 
ing appeal  to  you;  as  though  standing  among 
you  and  spreading  his  arms  he  invited  you  to 
seek  him  as  she  did.  From  her  dying  lips  he 
sends  a  message  entreating  you  to  consecrate 
yourselves  to  his  service.  Almost  from  the 
gates  of  the  celestial  city,  her  warm  and  loving 
request  comes  to  all  of  you  collectively,  and 
to  many  of  you  by  name — 'meet  me  in  hea- 
ven.' It  seems  to  me,  that  if  you  are i  ordained 
to  life'  at  all,  this  will  be  the  time  when  you 
will  choose  Christ;  and  that  if  now  you  will 

not  embrace  religion,  vour  salvation  is  searce- 
16 


182  MEMOIR  OF    MARTHA  T.  SHARP. 

ly  to  be  expected.  Who  of  her  young  friends 
will  now  take  Martha's  place  in  the  church, 
and  do  for  Jesus  what  it  was  in  her  heart  to 
do?  Who  of  you  will  meet  her  where  she 
now  is  in  glory?" 


APPENDIX. 

The  following  letters  are  from  two  young 
gentlemen,  members  of  the  church  in  Salem, 
and  candidates  for  the  ministry.  They  will 
show  the  estimation  in  which  her  Christian 
friends  held  Martha,  and  the  sorrow  occa- 
sioned by  her  death. 

"  Nassau  Hall,  May  30, 1847. 
"  Dear  Sister  Sally, 

I  received  with  pleasure  your  letter, 
though  it  renewed  the  saddening  recollection 
of  her,  whom  we  all  so  much  loved.  Never 
was  the  uncertainty  of  life  so  forcibly  im- 
pressed upon  my  mind.  One  week  before,  I 
had  engaged  rooms  for  her  at  the  approaching 
Commencement;  and  now  I  cannot  pass  the 
house  but  with  a  heavy  heart.     How  sudden, 


184  APPENDIX. 

too,  was  the  stroke  for  you,  and  how  aching 
must  be  the  void  left  in  the  church!  You 
feel  her  loss  more  than  1  can.  It  seems  to 
me  more  like  a  troubled  dream,  than  a  sad 
reality.  Sally,  I  cannot  tell  you  how  I  felt 
when  the  news  came.  One  of  the  students 
told  me  that  brother  was  looking  for  me. 
Instantly,  I  thought  he  had  a  letter  from  home, 
and  bounded  to  his  room  in  all  the  glee  of 
joyous  anticipation.  As  I  entered  the  room 
I  saw  his  sad  countenance,  and  my  hand  trem- 
bled as  I  took  the  letter.  I  tried  to  suppress 
the  burning  tear  which  stole  down  my  cheek, 
but  could  not.  I  thought  of  the  church,  of 
Mr.  Helm,  of  you,  dear  sister.  I  thought  of 
her  family;  and  I  knew  there  were  anguished 
hearts  at  home.  One  so  young,  so  lovely,  so 
near  to  many  hearts,  and  so  much  endeared  to 
all,  could  not  be  snatched  away  without 
wringing  bitter  grief  from  many  hearts. 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  account  of  her  last 
hours.     Were  they  not  worth  a  whole  life  of 


APPENDIX.  1S5 

self-denial?  If  there  is  any  thing  which  can 
sooth  a  mourner's  anguish,  it  must  be  such  a 
death-bed  ;  where  the  glories  of  our  future 
home  are  foreshadowed  in  the  smile  that 
lights  the  pallid  brow,  and  an  echo  of  the  song 
of  redemption  is  heard  in  those  sweet  words, 
"happy  —  happy  —  happy."  I  rejoice  that 
you  stood  by  her  side,  for  such  a  scene  cannot 
fail  to  draw  you  closer  to  the  cross.  Would 
that  sonrc  of  our  College  infidels  had  been 
there,  to  have  seen  a  Christian  die,  to  have 
felt  the  power  of  the  gospel  in  sustaining  the 

soul  in  the  last  conflict 

W.  C.  C." 

«  Princeton,  N.  J.,  Friday,  May  13,  1847. 
"  My  dear  Sister  H., 

"  I  have  just  received  your  letter  which 
contains  the  sad  news  of  Martha's  death;  and 
am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  giving  me 
so  full  and  good  an  account  of  her  last  hours. 
1  feel  a  strange  sadness  in  regard  to  her  sud- 
16* 


186  APPENDIX. 

den  and  early  death.  There  was  so  much 
both  in  her  personal  character  and  in  her  po- 
sition in  relation  to  the  church,  to  make  her 
interesting  to  my  mind,  that  her  loss  affects 
me  with  unusual  sorrow.  The  marked  cha- 
racter of  her  conversion  and  the  circum- 
stances under  which  she  was  admitted  to  the 
church,  her  youth,  and  energy,  and  powers 
of  mind,  all  seemed  to  be  a  pledge  of  future 
usefulness  as  a  Christian  woman.  Her  death 
is  certainly  a  great  loss  to  the  church.  If  the 
direction  of  the  destroyer's  arrow  had  been 
in  our  hands,  her  life  would  have  been  spared. 
But  God  has  seen  good  to  order  it  otherwise. 
He  knew  her  virtues  much  better  than  we  did. 
He  knew  the  necessities  of  our  poor  church 
better  than  we  can  know  them ;  and  the  inte- 
rests of  that  church  are  far  dearer  to  his  heart 
than  they  are  to  ours.  Yet  he  has  called 
away  from  it,  in  the  beginning  of  her  useful- 
ness, and  at  the  dawn  of  her  day  of  life,  the 
very  one  to  whom  we  should  have  looked  for 


APPENDIX.  1S7 

help.  It  is  indeed  an  inscrutable  providence 
to  us.  We  gaze  upon  it,  and  our  hearts  are 
bewildered  in  the  attempt  to  discover  its 
meaning.  The  cloud  which  envelops  the 
ways  of  God  grows  thicker  and  darker  as  it 
rests  upon  the  interests  which  are  nearest  and 
dearest  our  souls.  So  it  ever  will;  and  we 
shall  never  see  the  brightness  which  gilds  its 
other  side,  so  long  as  we  look  without  faith  at 
the  isolated  events  which  wound  our  feelings. 
But  when  we  turn  our  eyes  with  submissive 
confidence  to  "our  Father/'  when  we  think 
of  his  love  to  his  people,  his  purposes  of  mer- 
cy to  his  church ;  the  things  which  before 
confused  and  bewildered  us  are  lost  in  the 
vast  scheme  of  love  and  mercy  which  includes 
them  all.  Such  views  of  the  ways  of  God 
must  reconcile  us  to  the  afflictions  of  life. 

"You  speak  of  the  friendship  existing  be- 
tween Martha  and  Sally,  of  the  nature  of  their 
intimacy,  and  of  the  good  effect  it  seemed  to 
have   upon   Sally's   mind.     For  this,  too,  I 


18S  APPENDIX. 

could  have  desired  her  to  be  spared.  As  I 
love  my  sister,  I  love  those  who  would  do 
her  soul  good.  I  feel  glad  that  they  were 
brought  together.  I  am  glad  Sally  was  with 
her  in  the  hour  of  trial.  If  we  must  part 
with  those  we  love,  it  is  a  sweet  solace  to 
linger  around  their  dying  bed  and  watch  the 
last  struggle  of  the  departing  spirit.  She  has 
that  comfort;  and  I  hope  it  will  be  to  her 
more  than  comfort;  that  it  will  strengthen 
her  young  faith,  impress  her  mind  with  the 
awfulness  of  death,  and  the  necessity  of  living 
as  a  Christian  should  live — in  constant  prepa- 
ration for  its  unexpected  approach.  While  I 
am  writing,  the  same  disease  that  hurried 
away  our  friend,  may  have  begun  its  work 
with  her.  Though  she  did  perfectly  right  to 
venture  within  the  reach  of  the  dreadful  con- 
tagion, when  called  upon  by  the  double  claim 
of  Christian  sympathy  and  affection,  she  may 
not  be  preserved  from  its  influence.  I  hope 
she  may.     But  I  also  hope  that  she,  and  you, 


APPENDIX.  1S9 

and  I,  and  all  of  us  may  be  prepared  for  the 
hour,  which  must  come  sooner  or  later  to  us  all. 
I  wish  I  could  be  with  you  on  Sabbath,  to 
hear  Mr.  Helm's  discourse.  Martha's  death 
must  have  affected  him  deeply.  She  was  the 
fruit  of  his  ministry,  and  one  of  the  hopes  of 
his  church.  She  was  strongly  attached  to  him 
as  her  pastor  and  friend,  and  no  doubt  his 
heart  yearned  over  her  with  special  tender- 
ness. I  am  glad  he  had  such  satisfactory  con- 
versations with  her  on  her  dying  bed.  While 
it  sorely  afflicts  a  kind  pastor's  heart  to  see 
such  a  one  taken  away — so  young,  so  bright, 
so  full  of  promise — it  must  also  gladden  his 
spirit  to  see  her  meeting  death  in  a  triumphant 
manner.  Besides,  it  leaves  the  testimony  of 
a  dying  Christian  to  the  community;  and  I 
am  glad  for  their  sakes  and  for  the  church, 
that  she  was  able  to  talk  with  him.  What 
will  be  the  effect  of  this  dispensation  on  the 
church?  You  hope  it  may  be  sanctified.  So 
do  I  from  my  very  heart.     I  love  that  church. 


190  APPENDIX, 

My  father  and  my  sisters  worship  there;  and 
in  a  little  circle  that  gathers  around  her  com- 
munion board,  are  some  of  my  dearest  friends. 
To  Mr.  H.  I  feel  deeply  indebted  for  his  kind- 
ness to  me  and  our  family;  and  I  have  re- 
joiced, as  I  know  he  has,  over  the  evidence  of 
returning  life,  which  the  last  few  months  have 
exhibited.  A  solemn  stroke  has  now  fallen 
upon  her.  Will  she  receive  the  chastisement 
as  a  child,  and  humble  herself  before  God? 
If  so,  God  will  make  this  the  precursor  of 
rich  blessings.  I  hope  it  may  be  so  indeed. 
We  have  great  interests  at  stake,  depending 
on  the  revival  of  religion — the  strengthening 
of  our  own  faith  and  hope — a  preparation  for 
a  brighter  crown  in  heaven;  perhaps,  too,  our 
meeting  there  a  brother  now  fast  approaching 
the  snares  of  a  young  man's  life,  without  the 
promise  or  hope  of  God's  blessing.  Shall  we 
he  able  to  say,  in  that  better  world,  '  we  are 
all  here?'  T.  W.  C." 


APPENDIX.  191 


TO  MARTHA  IN  HEAVEN. 

Friend  of  my  early  years, 
Oh  !  loved  and  lost  one  !  whither  hast  thou  fled  ? 
I  seek  thee  through  a  mist  of  blinding  tears, 
I  seek  thee,  though  they  tell  me  thou  art  dead. 

It  cannot,  cannot  be. 
So  loved,  so  lovely  in  thy  early  bloom ; 
Brightest  and  dearest !  death  was  not  for  thee, 
Thou  art  not  shrouded  in  the  noisome  tomb. 

Alas !  alas,  thou  art ! 
I  hear  it  in  a  thousand  stifled  sighs, 
1  read  it  in  the  grief  of  many  eyes, 
In  the  strange  aching  void  of  my  own  heart. 

I  miss  thee  every  where. 
Thou  ne'er  hast  wandered  in  this  quiet  wood, 
Thou  ne'er  wast  with  me  by  this  silvery  flood, 
And  yet  I  miss  thy  presence  even  here. 

I  miss  thee  every  where ; 
Thou  ne'er  hast  watched  beside  my  couch  of  rest, 


192  APPENDIX. 

I  never  slumbered  on  thy  gentle  breast, 

Yet  wake  and  weep  to  find  thou  art  not  there. 

Dearest  and  loveliest  one, 
Thou  whom  I  loved  with  all  a  sister's  love, 
Hast  thou  forgotten  in  thy  home  above 
That  I  am  here  in  this  bleak  world  alone  ? 

Oh!  thou  did'st  love  me  well. 
Fondly  thy  heart  was  knit  to  mine  in  life, 
My  name  hung  on  thy  lips  in  parting  strife : 
Dost  thou  remember,  dost  thou  love  me  still  ? 

Come  back,  come  back  to  me* 
Oh !  let  me  hear  that  gentle  voice  again, 
Speak  to  me  sometimes  in  that  thrilling  strain. 
I  would  not  fear  the  dead,  or  shrink  from  thee. 

Oh !  sister  of  my  soul ! 
I  know  that  thou  art  smiling  with  the  blest, 
That  thou  art  pillowed  on  thy  Saviour's  breast, 
And  that  between  us  billows  darkly  roll. 

Thou  can'st  not  come  to  me ; 
There  are  no  tears  in  heaven,  and  thou  would'st  weep, 
Could'st  thou  but  bend  above  my  troubled  sleep, 
And  mark  how  bitterly  I  call  on  thee. 


APPENDIX.  193 

There  are  no  tears  in  heaven  ; 
Thou  never  more  wilt  know  of  grief  or  care. 
And  do  I  murmur,  love,  that  thou  art  there  ? 
Dwelling  in  perfect  bliss,  redeemed — forgiven. 

Thou  can'st  not  come  to  me : 
Thy  gentle  voice  will  thrill  no  more  my  heart, 
Till  meeting — meeting  never  more  to  part: 
God  grant,  my  sister,  I  may  come  to  thee. 

Mary  I . 

Logan  Water,  June,  ]847. 


TO  THE  MOTHER  OF  MY  FRIEND. 

Oh  merciless  and  pitiless. 

Is  the  cruel  reaper  death  ; 
He  fells  the  stately  forest 

And  blights  the  blushing  wreath. 
He  smites  the  lowly  cottage 

He  smites  the  lordly  hall 
And  chooses  him  the  loveliest 

The  dearest  of  them  all. 


194  APPENDIX. 

So  gentle  and  so  tender, 

In  her  beauty's  early  bloom, 
Too  loving  and  too  lovely 

For  the  dark  and  noisome  tomb. 
There  were  many  hearts  to  mourn  her. 

There  was  wailing  deep  and  wild, 
God  have  pity  on  the  mother 

Who  weeps  for  such  a  child. 

Oh  lorn  and  lonely  mother, 

Whom  none  can  bring  relief, 
xMay  He  who  sent  thee  sorrow 

Shed  a  blessing  on  thy  grief. 
For  thy  heart  is  very  desolate : 

And  in  thy  lonely  home 
Wildly  weeping,  sad  and  dreary, 

Thou  dost  sit  to  mourn  alone. 

Thou  art  listening  for  the  footsteps 

Thou  never  more  may'st  hear, 
Thou  art  listening  for  the  silvery  tone, 

But  it  breaks  not  on  thy  ear : 
And  the  hand  whose  gentle  touch  was  laid 

At  eve  upon  thy  brow, 
And  the  lip  that  fondly  clung  to  thine, 

Mother,  where  are  they  now. 


APPENDIX. 

Dark  and  silent— dark  and  silent- 
Heart  and  home  are  wrapped  in  gloom, 

While  thy  idol  and  thy  treasure 
Sleepeth  dreamless  in  the  tomb. 

Poor  broken-hearted  mother, 
Well  may  thy  grief  be  wild. 

God  have  pity  on  her  sorrow 
Who  weeps  for  such  a  child. 

Cease  thy  weeping,  mourning  mother  ! 

Cease  thy  wailing,  sad  and  wild ; 
Look  up  !  Oh  !  blessed  mother, 

See  !  where  smiles  thy  angel  child. 
With  no  cloud  upon  her  features, 

With  no  sorrow  on  her  brow; 
From  the  azure  depths  of  heaven, 

She  is  gazing  on  thee  now. 

Lo  !  her  Saviour  smiles  upon  her, 

She  is  kneeling  at  his  throne  j 
He  who  gave  her  hath  reclaimed  her, 

He  hath  made  her  all  his  own. 
He  hath  guarded  her  from  sorrow, 

He  hath  sheltered  her  from  pain ; 
She  is  smiling  on  his  bosom, 

She  will  never  weep  again. 


195 


196  APPENDIX. 

O'er  thy  spirit  softly  falling 

As  the  quiet  April  rain ; 
In  the  deep  and  solemn  midnight, 

Thou  shalt  hear  her  voice  again. 
Gently  murmuring  in  thy  dreaming. 

She  will  bend  above  thy  sleep ; 
lCl  am  happy — I  am  happy, 

Dearest  mother  do  not  weep." 

Mary  I- 


Logan  Water)  June,  1847. 


APPENDIX.  197 


TO.  THE  PARENTS  OF  MARTHA. 

" It  has  pleased  God  to  take  away 

two  beloved  objects,  and  to  make  you  pass 
through  the  deep  waters  of  severe  affliction 
But  you  have  the  unspeakable  consolation  of 
believing  that  your  loved  ones  have  been  re- 
moved to  a  better  and  brighter  home. 

Ah,  yes  !  to  die  is  gain ! 
Dark  storms  of  sorrow  gather  o'er  life's  path. 
Grief  clusters  round  the  fairest  home  and  hearth, 

Earth's  purest  pleasures  oft  are  fraught  with  pain ; 
And  weary  hearts,  with  sin  and  sadness  pressed, 
Sigh  for  the  land  of  loveliness  and  rest. 

Unfading:  joys  are  there, 
Bright  crowns  and  waving  palms  of  victory  : 
Rich  are  its^strains  of  perfect[melody: 

Its  shores  are  washed  not  by  the  waves  of  care — 
Its  sweet  affections  are  not  linked  with  fears — 
Its  radiant  glories  glisten  not  with  tears, 


198  APPENDIX. 

But  let  not  heaven's  pure  light 
Dim  our  perceptions  of  this  chequered  life  : 
Earth  may  be  stamped  with  sorrow  and  with  strife, 

Yet  holy  are  its  claims,  when  viewed  aright ; 
To  him  who  looks  with  thoughtful  glance  on  time, 
It  ever  wears  an  aspect  most  sublime. 

Life  is  the  hallowed  sphere 
Of  sacred  duties  to  our  fellow  men, 
The  precious  and  appointed  season,  when 

Sweet  deeds  of  love  the  mourner's  heart  may  cheer. 
The  hour  of  patient  and  unwearied  toil. 
When  seed  from  heaven  is  sown  in  earth's  dark  soil, 

E .5J 

B ,  N.  J.,  June  G,  1847. 


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